Traditional STGs are characterized by which features?

• A. Have a documented history and a written set of laws or codes
• B. Do not have any history
• C. Operate only outside prison
• D. Have no organizational structure

Answer: (A)

Traditional STGs are organized groups that maintain formal structure through a documented history and a written set of laws or codes. The history shows the group’s formation, leadership lineage, and evolution over time, while the written code provides explicit rules for membership, conduct, and sanctioned activities. This combination creates the discipline and accountability that keep the group cohesive and operable, inside the facility as well as in the community. The emphasis on a documented history and codified rules is what sets traditional STGs apart from looser or unstructured groups, which is why this characteristic best describes them.