Death Among Inmates Behind Bars

Murder and suicide are occurring more often among minorities behind bars than any other racial group because of the color of a person’s skin. Prison and jail deaths have increased because incarceration rates have increased with people of color (Race Relationships in Prison). Being an Afro-American or Hispanic behind bars means trouble and the possibility of either getting killed or killing yourself. Death among inmates is a serious crime that is occurring more and more because of over crowding and gangs. Gangs are becoming a problem behind bars because the more people in a gang the more trouble they can cause (Lichtenstein, Andrew 2). Gangs are out to kill when a territory is invaded or there is a rivalry issue. Many prison gangs are being kept in the same pod so there are no problems, but there are problems and when a path is crossed it can turn deadly (Florida Department of Corrections 1). In some areas death in prisons is becoming so popular; institutions are being forced to become even stricter with rules and hiring more personal. The only problem with hiring more employees is the issue of finding dedicated workers and honest people. Death in prisons and jails are increasing among Hispanics and Afro-Americans, but the cause of death for many prisoners is unknown (Race Relationships in Prison).

One of the major causes of death in the past for prisons and jails were riots; riots can occur at any time or any place. Living conditions for inmates is important because if living conditions are not fair or even decent inmates will act out and their behavior can turn deadly. On September 9, 1971 at around 8:20 am the beginning of a deadly riot broke out in New York City. This riot was known as the Attica Riot. The Attica Riot was based on a political issue and inmate living conditions. This riot claimed thirty-nine lives and lasted for four days. This riot did have some racial issues to it. The prison housed over 2, 225 inmates where there were only supposed to be 1, 200. Among the inmates there were 54% Afro-Americans and 9% Puerto Rican. There were 383 correctional officers and they were all white males. Many inmates had reported being discriminated against and called niggers. The worst discrimination that occurred was to a man named George Jackson, who was part of a Black Panther Party was beaten to death by a white guard. There was a lot of racial tension occurring between inmates and guards. When the riot was over there was a prison reform. The reform was in place for minority inmates that were becoming the majority of inmate personal (Wikipedia). Another racial riot that occurred was the New Mexico Riot, on February 2, 1980. At around 1:40 am a riot broke out in a prison in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This riot occurred because the inmates were living in unsanitary conditions and there was a major snitch system that was really beginning to make a lot of inmates upset. In this riot there were over 200 inmates injured, but none of them were killed. This riot was based on racial issues due to inmates snitching on other inmates (Colvin, Mark). The prison housed many Hispanics and Afro-American, and there was racial tension between the men. The snitches were seen as the worst men in the prison and they were just as bad as the guards (Rolland, Mike 58). Riots that have occurred in prisons have been known due to racial issues or racial tension.

Death among inmates is not just occurring in America, but Americans are the ones to blame when it comes to being racist against inmates in other countries. Americans are the ones being blamed for acting racist against prisoners in Iraq. In 2002 there were twenty-seven inmates that lost their live due to a cover up by the American government. The reasons many of the men lost their lives was because of murder, negligent homicide, and assault; eleven American soldiers are being questioned about the deaths that occurred. One reporter, reported that there is racial controversy concerning the whole issue because the people were from Iraq and Americans don’t care for anyone but Americans (Mazzetti, Mark). The whole issue led to a big investigation and the soldiers that were accused of discriminating against the prisoners were sent back to the United States until the military could investigate the allegation. The major issue that was being presented was the fact that Americans were being racist against Iraq. America is based on equal liberties and does not value racism; that’s what makes America what it is today.

In America prison gangs pose a threat to inmates. Prison gangs are out for blood, to take care of their own kind, and do not like to cross their rival. There are six major prison gangs that pose a threat in the American prisons today, they are not the only gangs that are in prison system but these six are nationally known. These six gangs are known as the Neta, Aryan Brotherhood, Black Guerrilla Family, Mexican Mafia, La Nuestra Familia, and Texas Syndicate. Each gang has their own unique characterizes and are very racist against rival gang members (Florida Department of Corrections 3). When racist is used it means hated on or discriminated against, and many members are these gangs do not like to be cross with any other race other than their own kind (also known as Racial Supremacies). These gangs have been around since the 1960’s and have been known to kill any inmates that have stirred up trouble among gang members. Many deaths that have occurred behind bars were either violently, a covered up, or made it look like a suicide (Race Relationships in Prison).

The Neta gang is made up of males and the race of the gang members are Puerto Rican-American/ Hispanic. This gang was established in 1970 in Rio Pedras Prison, Puerto Rico. This gang was thought of by an inmate that was trying to stop the violence between other inmates in that prison. This prison gang does have outside ties to other members in the streets and are not open to people of different races joining. The gang meets every thirtieth of the month to honor members who have gotten killed due to prison violence, street violence, and racial violence. This gang targets inmates that are from different gangs, non Hispanic inmates that are acting out, and are known to kill and be very violent. Neta’s are known to keep a low profile, but when there is a problem they get the job done. When a member is discriminated against (hated on) by inmates or officers the members will get together become very violent till that person is killed. There are many racial factors that this gang holds on to, they do not like anyone other than Hispanics/Puerto Rican-Americans and will not take slack from an Afro-American or Anglo-Saxton (Florida Department of Corrections 10).

Aryan Brotherhood is a gang also made up of males and the