Page 82 - Once a copper 10 03 2020

depends upon which class the prisoner belongs to or which crime he/she has
committed.

Among the population of any British prison there exists a hierarchy, a pecking
order. There are constant power struggles as those in the middle vie for more
status.

Figure 39 typical example of Social Hierarchy in Prison

Serial killers/murderers
At the top of the hierarchical order within a prison come the serial killers or
murderers. These are the most feared prisoners and none of the other
prisoners like t cross them. These individuals have committed the crime of the
highest order and hold powerful and strong statuses among their inmates.
They are also often feared by officers and sometimes enjoy special privileges
like having other prisoners do their tasks etc.

Included in this ‘top of the heap’ category would be high-ranking members
of crime organisations. Old-style American/Italian and Eastern European
block Mafia members are the first that come to mind. These guys are
powerful and likely to head up "gangs," both inside and out of jail.

Drug dealers

On the second rung of the prison social hierarchy are the drug dealers. Drug
dealing is also considered a serious crime in most countries and the
punishment for it too is of a long term. It is a risky business and hence those
committed on these charges are feared within the prison walls. Drug dealers Page82
usually order others around and have links throughout the prison.