Gangs in Prison
Gangs have long been a prominent feature within the prison system, with distinct groups emerging to protect their interests, establish dominance, and engage in criminal activities. This research essay provides a comprehensive analysis of four notorious prison gangs: the Aryan Brotherhood, the Black Guerilla Family, the People Nation, and the Mexican Mafia. By examining their origins, beliefs, activities, and geographical influence, this essay sheds light on the dynamics and complexities of gang presence within correctional facilities.
The Aryan Brotherhood: Preserving the White Race
The Aryan Brotherhood, which originated in the California Division of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, traces its roots back to the 1960s in San Quentin, California. Founded by individuals who were members of various gangs, such as the “Bluebirds,” “Diamond Tooth Gang,” and the “Nazi Gang,” the group’s leaders, Barry Mills and Tyler Davis, assumed control.
At the core of the Aryan Brotherhood’s beliefs and mission is the betterment and preservation of the white race. They advocate for separatism, reject the rule of foreigners over the white race, consider opponents and oppressors of the white race as sworn enemies, and emphasize the rights of the white race. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of imparting Aryan culture and heritage to white children and prioritize supporting their race. The Aryan Brotherhood is most dominant in the southwest and Pacific regions of the United States, while its influence is weakest in areas with a predominant African-American population.
Engaging in various criminal activities, including murder, kidnapping, racketeering, and drug distribution, the Aryan Brotherhood has established a reputation for its ruthlessness. Instances of violence within the gang, such as the order to kill a potential member and return his severed finger as a trophy, exemplify the dangerous nature of their operations.
The Black Guerilla Family: Challenging Racism
Originating from San Quentin Prison in 1966, the Black Guerilla Family was founded by George Jackson and W. L. Nolen. The gang’s primary mission is to eradicate racism, maintain dignity within prison walls, and ultimately overthrow the United States Government. The Black Guerilla Family is particularly powerful in San Quentin, CA, and Baltimore, Maryland, while its influence is weaker in the southwestern and Pacific regions of the country.
With an estimated membership of 50,000, the Black Guerilla Family is continuously growing in numbers. Engaging in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, extortion, and violent crimes, the gang poses a significant threat within correctional facilities. The example of the supreme commander, “Doc” Holiday, stabbing a fellow prisoner to death highlights the danger associated with the Black Guerilla Family’s presence in prisons.
The People Nation: Unity Among Gangs
The People Nation is not a gang itself, but rather an alliance of gangs aligned under a common cause. Founded by Larry Hoover, the chairman of the Gangster Disciples Nation, the People Nation alliance emerged in November 1978 within the Illinois Department of Corrections. Hoover successfully persuaded black, white, and Latino gangs from Chicago to join forces.
The People Nation maintains a strict code of solidarity, with members prioritizing the collective over individual loyalties. Their stronghold is primarily in the Midwest and southwest regions, while their presence extends throughout the United States. Continuously recruiting new members in prisons and on the streets, the People Nation demonstrates its dominance and continuous growth. Their criminal activities include racketeering, murder, theft, assault, and the illegal use of firearms.
The Mexican Mafia: Controlling the Prison System
The Mexican Mafia, founded in 1957 at Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy, California, by Luis “Huero Buff” Flores from the Hawaiian Gardens gang, emerged with the objective of exerting control over the prison system. The Mexican Mafia primarily operates in northern and southern California, although its influence is currently on the decline.
The Mexican Mafia’s fundamental belief revolves around maintaining dominance and enforcing loyalty among its members. Their criminal activities include extortion (RICO), narcotics distribution, and murder. In a grim illustration of their power, the Mexican Mafia carried out hits in San Quentin and DVI during the 1960s, specifically Doroteo “Sleepy” Betancourt and Frank “Moose” Bazure’s murder of a correctional officer to establish their existence.
MS13: The Menace of International Scale
Originating in Los Angeles during the 1960s and 1980s, MS13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, emerged as a group of young Salvadorans who splintered off from other Hispanic gangs. While the gang lacks a singular founder, it quickly gained notoriety for its ruthless activities. MS13’s fundamental beliefs revolve around self-protection and the safeguarding of their families.
Although the MS13/Surenos gang is primarily associated with Los Angeles and other regions in the United States such as Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah, it has also extended its reach into countries such as Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador. MS13/Surenos, however, faces relative weakness on the East Coast.
Engaging in a wide range of criminal activities, including drug smuggling, arms trafficking, human smuggling, contract killings, robbery, drug sales, and arson, MS13/Surenos has garnered a reputation as one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world. Instances such as the gang rape and murder of a 24-year-old woman in Texas serve as chilling reminders of their brutality.
The Mexican Mafia The Mexican Mafia originated in 1957 at Deuel Vocational Establishment in Tracy, California. Luis “Huero Buff” Flores from the Hawaiian Gardens gang was the founding father of The Mexican Mafia. Their fundamental beliefs had been to manage the jail system. They’re strongest in northern and southern California, however they’re in a decline proper now. The obvious of legal actions of The Mexican Mafia are extortion (RICO), narcotics distribution, and homicide. An instance of the hazard in the jail system from the Mexican Mafia is in the 1960’s, the Mexican Mafia carried out hits in San Quentin and DVI.
Doroteo “Sleepy” Betancourt and Frank “moose” Bazure murdered a correctional officer; simply to show their existence. MS13 The MS13 gang originated in Los Angeles in the 1960’s and the 1980’s. They didn’t even have only one founder; it was a gaggle of younger Salvadorans that broke off from different Hipic gangs. Their fundamental beliefs are self-protection and safety of their households. They’re strongest in Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah; they’re additionally robust in Canada, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and El Salvador.
They’re weakest in the East coast. They’re neither rising or in decline, as a result of they not exist; they’re recognized now because the Surenos. Their legal actions consists of drug smuggling, gun working, individuals smuggling, hits for rent, theft, drug gross sales, and arson. An instance as an example how harmful they’re is in a current Texas incident, a member of MS13(Surenos) participated in a gang rape of a 24-year-old girl after which he kicked her in the neck so exhausting that he broke it and killed her immediately.
In conclusion, I observed that all of them had similarities in legal exercise. All of their beliefs had been very totally different aside from one factor, all of them targeted extra on their very own races of individuals. I additionally observed that each one however the Mexican Mafia are rising in inhabitants. I additionally realized that the strongest and most harmful gang in the world is MS13 aka Surenos. Though the opposite jail gangs are rising in risk stage and inhabitants; MS13 aka Surenos is the most important organized crime entity in the world.
Due to this fact, in conclusion, these jail gangs even have much more in widespread than what they assume they do. The one factor that’s actually separating them is their racial beliefs. References: Historical past of the Mexican Mafia jail gang; July 25th, 2007; Valdemar, Richard; www. policemag. com Ten members of Bronx drug trafficking crew charged; Jan. ninth, 2013; U. S. Legal professional’s workplace; www. fbi. gov The Aryan Brotherhood; Montaldo, Charles; Jan. 2013; www. crime. about. com E-book: Corrections Immediately; Chapter eight The Prison Expertise(males)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the study of gangs in prison reveals both similarities and differences among the Aryan Brotherhood, the Black Guerilla Family, the People Nation, and the Mexican Mafia. While each gang holds distinct beliefs and origins, they all engage in criminal activities within correctional facilities. The Aryan Brotherhood and Black Guerilla Family focus on racial interests, while the People Nation unites various gangs under a common cause. The Mexican Mafia aims to exert control over the prison system, and MS13/Surenos represents an international criminal organization.
Understanding these prison gangs’ dynamics and activities is crucial for maintaining security within correctional facilities and combating organized crime. Efforts to address the root causes of gang involvement, such as socio-economic disparities, racial tensions, and inadequate rehabilitation programs, are essential in mitigating the influence and impact of these gangs.
References:
Valdemar, R. (2007, July 25). History of the Mexican Mafia jail gang. Retrieved from www.policemag.com
U.S. Attorney’s office. (2013, January 9). Ten members of Bronx drug trafficking crew charged. Retrieved from www.fbi.gov
Montaldo, C. (2013, January). The Aryan Brotherhood. Retrieved from www.crime.about.com
References
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INFANTE, A.A., MORSE, S.J., FAHMY, C. and WRIGHT, K.A., 2023. Racial Politics in the Contemporary Prison Society: The Importance of Race and Ethnicity to Prison Social Organization. Criminal Justice and Behavior, p.00938548221143528.
Pyrooz, D.C. and Decker, S.H., 2019. Competing for control: Gangs and the social order of prisons. Cambridge University Press.
Pyrooz, D.C., Decker, S.H. and Owens, E., 2020. Do prison administrative and survey data sources tell the same story? A multitrait, multimethod examination with application to gangs. Crime & Delinquency, 66(5), pp.627-662.
