Prison Gangs Research Paper

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
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
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 oath must be taken upon initiation. Since this group is so antigovernment and anti-official they pose serious threats to corrections officers and law enforcement personnel who represent government and