Prison Gangs

In the United States there are six major prison gangs that are recognized nationally for their participation in organized crime and violence. They are as follows from largest to smallest in member size. There is the Neta, Aryan Brotherhood, Black Guerilla Family, Mexican Mafia, La Nuestra Familia, and the Texas Syndicate. By definition a gang is a group of people working together or a group of persons working to unlawful or antisocial ends; especially: a band of antisocial adolescents.

The Association Neta has taken the forefront as the largest most organized and most violent prison gang. Neta was formed in Rio Piedras Prison, Puerto rico in 1979. The original intent of the gang was for the protection of inmate rights the gang quickly evolved into a highly organized criminal organization within the Puerto Rican prison system. Neta is considered the fastest growing and most violent gang within our prison systems. The Neta is primarily male and the ethnicity of there members are Puerto Rican- American or Hispanic. Some more characteristics of Neta is that they use there gang as a faÐ"§ade or front of a cultural organization. Their philosophy is "independence for the island" or "Puerto Rico" They see themselves as oppressed people who are unwillingly to be governed by the Untied States. Members are required to procure 20 perspective recruits a piece. As with most gangs any disrespect shown to an individual Neta Member is looked upon as disrespect to the group as a whole and is usually dealt with violently. Members usually dsplay the Puerto Rican flag and are known to carry Neta id cards. Neta members are secretive and will not freely admit membership. A classic Neta tactic is to keep a low profile while other Hispanic groups draw attention to themselves. They've made a place for themselves in the drug trade and extortion, and perform hits for other STG's (security threat groups).

The next largest gang is the Aryan Brotherhood or AB. Made up of white males this gang originated in 1967 in San Quentin State Prison, California Department of Corrections. Sometimes unaffiliated splinter groups use the names of their state along with the name "Aryan Brotherhood"(E.g. Aryan Brotherhood of Texas). Members often display many white supremacist, neo nazi characteristics and ideology, but often their goals as getting high and getting over", or making their stay in prison as comfortable as possible. The Brotherhood maintains a working relationship with the Mexican Mafia another prison gang and by doing this opposes the Mexican Mafias long time enemy the La Nuestra Family. And if you already didn't know the AB has a deep hatred toward black individuals and members of black gangs such as the Black Guerilla Family, Crips, and Bloods. Even though they don't like the black groups they give them moral support in efforts to encourage possible prison disturbances. They also utilize black associates to buy and sell drugs to elements of the black prison population They are compatible with both motorcycle gangs and most white supremacy groups. In order to become an Ab a lifelong allegiance must be made also a "blood in , blood out"oath must be taken. Often a hit or significant act of violence is required before full membership is earned. Traditionally, targets have been non-gang inmates. From 1975 to 1985, members committed 40 homicides in California prisons and local jails, as well as 13 hiomicides in the community. And from 1978 to 1992, AB members, suspects and associates in the federal system were involved in 26 homicides, 3 of which involved staff victims. Once out of custody AB members are actively expected to continue to assist or "score" for the members remaining in prison

Another prison gang is the Black Guerrilla Family (BGF) which is made up of black males. It was founded in 1966 at San Quentin State Prison, California by former Black Panther member George L. Jackson. The BGF is the most politically orientated of the major prison gangs. They were formed as a Marxist/ Maoist/ Leninist revolutionary organization with these goals: eradicate racism, struggle to maintain dignity in prison, and to overthrow the United States government. They are extremely antigovernment and anti-official. Their enemies are gangs such as the Aryan Brotherhood, the Texas Syndicate, the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, and the Mexican Mafia. They do though have a very active working relationship with the La Nuestra Familia. Black street gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, and El Rukns are heavily utilized by the BGF and their members are heavily recruited into the BGF if imprisoned. As with most gangs a lifelong allegiance must be made and a death