Being forced into violence by gangs
Introduction
Imagine making mistakes with your operational security while engaging in illegal activities, leading to your imprisonment. What could go wrong? A lot. First and foremost, prisons are often controlled by gangs, and survival can mean being forced into violence. Are you prepared for that? In this blog post, we will explore what could happen if you find yourself in this situation and how you can prepare for it.
What "Gang" means?
Gangs can be defined as follows:
"A gang is a group or society of associates, friends, or family members with a defined leadership and internal organization. This group identifies with or claims control over a specific territory within a community and engages, either individually or collectively, in illegal and possibly violent behavior, which often constitutes a form of organized crime."
While this definition is accurate, it is incomplete. One crucial aspect that should be added is that gangs are also groups of criminals or individuals who come together for mutual protection and profit.
This idea of mutual protection and profit is especially significant in a prison environment. In jail, ensuring your own protection can quickly become your primary concern, as violence is rampant and often encouraged by the authorities. In fact, many governments view violence in prisons as a form of "cleaning", seeing each inmate death as one less they have to deal with themselves. Additionally, the state uses these violent conditions as a tool to deter the public from engaging in criminal behavior, portraying imprisonment as a deterrent. Fear, in this sense, becomes a powerful tool for manipulating public opinion.
The key point to understand is that gangs operate both inside and outside of prisons, and their activities within the prison system can have significant repercussions on the outside world, and vice versa. This means that what happens to you while incarcerated can directly affect your life beyond the prison walls.
What gangs can ask you to do (And how to protect yourself)?
Several factors can influence a gang's decision to ask something of you in prison. However, the reward they offer remains consistent: protection. This protection can be from other gangs, individuals, or even protection from their own group. If you refuse to obey them, they will allow you to be harmed or even killed by others. Typically, they will begin by severely beating you to try to make you comply, without going as far as killing you, since they still expect something from you. If you continue to resist, the situation will escalate, and the consequences can become life-threatening.
The first and most basic demand gangs will make of you is to engage in violence. They want you to be violent on their behalf, often targeting members of rival gangs, as a way to prove your loyalty. The problem is that, in most cases, you have no real choice. If you refuse to comply, you'll face punishment. If you obey, you're forced into a dangerous situation where you could either be killed or become an enemy of another gang. Either way, you're caught in a no-win scenario, where your survival depends on your ability to navigate these violent demands.
The second demand gangs may make is to have you procure or produce specific items for them, often from outside of the prison. This could include drugs, cell phones, weapons, or anything else they need. While this may seem less immediately dangerous than engaging in violence, it still carries significant risks. Not only does it place your own legal responsibility at stake, but it could also implicate others in your life. If you're caught, you'll be the sole one held accountable, facing legal consequences for the gang's illicit activities.
Gangs can also demand money from you, which may seem like the least dangerous option at first. However, this approach rarely ends well. Once you start paying, they will continue to ask for more, even after you're released from prison. These demands can put you and your loved ones at risk, as they may become targets if you're unable to meet the gang's growing expectations. Over time, if you fail to comply or try to cut ties, violence will likely resurface as the gang seeks to enforce their control.
Additionally, gangs may try to recruit you as a specialist if they learn that your criminal background could be useful to them. For example, if you're in prison for creating fake IDs or running illegal financial operations, they may force you to use your skills to benefit the gang. In such cases, they will likely demand that you continue these activities on their behalf, either inside the prison or once you're released. The pressure to comply with their demands can be immense, and resistance often leads to violent consequences.
So, what can you do to protect yourself? The reality is that, in many cases, avoiding involvement with prison gangs might not be possible. It's essential to prepare yourself before heading to prison. The most practical approach is to learn how to fight efficiently and defend yourself. Since violence is an unavoidable part of prison life, becoming accustomed to it is crucial. However, keep in mind that you might face unequal situations, like being outnumbered in fights (3 vs 1 or even 5 vs 1), where your life could be at risk. The goal here is to maximize your chances of survival, but it's important to understand that even the best preparation doesn't guarantee safety. There is such violence in prison that a martial art was created in it.
Another crucial point to remember is that operational security (OPSEC) doesn't stop when you enter prison. It's vital to avoid sharing personal information about your life outside of prison, as doing so makes it easier for gangs to manipulate or control you through your relatives. If you're fortunate enough to avoid corrupt correctional officers who might sell your information, you could limit the impact of your prison experience on your personal life. However, even with caution, it's never a 100% guarantee, just one piece of information can be enough to unravel everything. Stay vigilant, as the stakes are high.As mentioned earlier, it's important not to reveal the reason for your imprisonment. Appearing useful to a gang can quickly make you a target for recruitment or coercion. The less others know about your background, especially skills that could benefit criminal activity, the safer you may be. Maintaining discretion is a key part of protecting yourself in that environment.
What gangs are ruling prisons ?
Across the globe, many gangs exert control over prison systems. These gangs often form around various factors, such as race, family ties, geographic origin, or ideological beliefs, to name just a few. Each of these factors plays a role in how gangs structure themselves and how they exert influence both inside and outside of prisons.
Here are some example of existing gangs:
United States
In the U.S., prison gangs are a notable and often dangerous part of the correctional system. These gangs engage in a variety of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and even violence against other inmates and staff. They are typically highly organized and can control large portions of prison populations. Some of the major prison gangs in the U.S. include:
The Aryan Brotherhood
Origin: The Aryan Brotherhood was founded in the 1960s at San Quentin State Prison in California by white inmates.
Membership: It is made up of white supremacists, though it also accepts some non-white members.
Activities: Involved in drug trafficking, racketeering, and murder. Known for violent tactics and maintaining a strong code of silence (Omertà).
Influence: The Aryan Brotherhood is one of the most powerful and feared gangs in U.S. prisons.
The Bloods and Crips
Origin: These gangs originated on the streets of Los Angeles in the 1970s and 1980s. Both have extended their influence into the prison system.
Membership: The Bloods are identified by the color red, while the Crips are identified by blue. Though racially diverse, these gangs are often organized along regional or racial lines.
Activities: Both groups are involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and violent conflicts with each other and other prison factions.
Influence: These two gangs have a significant presence in U.S. prisons, especially in California and other states with large populations of African American inmates.
The Mexican Mafia (La Eme)
Origin: La Eme was founded in the California state prison system in the early 1980s.
Membership: Primarily consists of Mexican-American inmates, but it extends its influence over a diverse group of Latino gangs, like the Sureños.
Activities: Involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and overseeing other gangs from prison. They have a significant influence on Latino gangs in the streets as well.
Influence: La Eme controls many other Latino gangs and is considered one of the most powerful prison organizations in the U.S.
The Black Guerrilla Family
Origin: Formed in the late 1960s by African-American prisoners in California.
Membership: Primarily African-American inmates, though it has expanded over the years.
Activities: Initially formed as a political group based on revolutionary ideologies, but later became involved in drug trafficking, violence, and other criminal activities.
Influence: This gang is particularly influential in the eastern U.S. and among black inmates.
The United Blood Nation (UBN)
Origin: A more recent gang that formed in the 1990s in New York City.
Membership: A subset of the Bloods, though often less structured than the original West Coast faction.
Activities: Primarily involved in drug trafficking, violence, and street-level extortion.
Influence: The UBN has spread throughout the U.S. prison system and remains active in major urban areas.
Latin America
In Latin America, prison gangs are often tied to the larger issues of drug cartels and organized crime. These gangs not only control the prison system but also have strong ties to the streets and drug trade. Some of the most notable prison gangs in Latin America include:
The Zetas (Mexico)
Origin: Originally formed as the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel, but the Zetas became a powerful cartel in their own right.
Membership: Primarily made up of former military and law enforcement members.
Activities: Known for their brutal tactics and control over major drug trafficking routes, extortion, and human trafficking.
Influence: The Zetas have a strong presence in prisons, particularly in Mexico, where they control a lot of the drug trade from within the walls.
MS-13 (El Salvador)
Origin: MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) was founded by Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles in the 1980s. The gang spread across the U.S., and then back to Central America.
Membership: Composed primarily of Salvadorans, but it also includes members from other Central American countries.
Activities: Engaged in extortion, human trafficking, drug trafficking, and violent crimes.
Influence: MS-13 has a significant presence in Central American prisons, where it operates with considerable power.
The Cartel de Sinaloa (Mexico)
Origin: Founded by Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, the Sinaloa Cartel is one of the largest drug trafficking organizations in the world.
Membership: Includes a network of prisoners who operate within the prison system, facilitating drug smuggling and cartel-related activities.
Activities: Drug trafficking, money laundering, and violence.
Influence: They have established strong networks in both Mexican prisons and the U.S. prison system.
Europe
While the scale of prison gangs in Europe is not as large as in the U.S. or Latin America, some countries have organized criminal groups within their prisons.
The Camorra (Italy)
Origin: One of Italy's most powerful criminal organizations, it originates from Naples.
Membership: Consists of members with ties to the southern Italian Mafia.
Activities: Involved in extortion, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and even racketeering within the prison system.
Influence: The Camorra maintains strong influence within Italian prisons and continues to have a major role in the parallel economy.
The Albanian Mafia
Origin: While Albanian organized crime groups have existed for decades, their presence in European prisons became more noticeable in the 1990s.
Membership: Primarily ethnic Albanians and Kosovars.
Activities: Involved in drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.
Influence: The Albanian Mafia has significant influence over prisons in Italy, Spain, and other European countries.
The Russian Mafia (Vory v Zakone)
Origin: The Russian Mafia, particularly the "Vory v Zakone" (Thieves in Law), has a long history dating back to the Soviet Union.
Membership: Russian, Georgian, and other former Soviet republic nationals.
Activities: Involved in organized crime, including racketeering, extortion, and narcotics trafficking.
Influence: This group has a notable presence in prisons across Russia and has extended its influence to other parts of Europe.
Asia
Asia's prison gang scene is less publicized, but criminal organizations still operate within prisons in many countries.
The Yakuza (Japan)
Origin: The Yakuza is Japan's most notorious organized crime syndicate, which has existed for centuries.
Membership: Made up of ethnic Japanese and other East Asians.
Activities: The Yakuza is involved in a variety of illegal activities, including gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.
Influence: While the Yakuza's influence inside Japanese prisons is not as openly visible as other criminal organizations, they are believed to have a strong network within the system.
Triads (China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan)
Origin: The Triads are Chinese criminal organizations that date back to the 18th century.
Membership: Ethnic Chinese, with significant influence in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other Chinese territories.
Activities: The Triads engage in human trafficking, drug trafficking, extortion, and money laundering.
Influence: Triads are believed to maintain strong connections within Chinese prisons, operating with great secrecy.
As you can see, the most influential prison gangs have a widespread presence across the globe. This means that if you end up in prison, you'll likely have to contend with them. Even in countries where gangs aren't as dominant in society, smaller gangs still often control prison environments, exerting influence over daily life and the prison hierarchy.
One of the main factors influencing gang membership in prison is race. As noted, many gangs accept only members of a specific racial background. This is a critical piece of information, as it helps you quickly identify which groups may view you as an outsider or potential enemy, and which ones may try to force you into cooperation. Understanding this dynamic is essential for assessing your position within the prison hierarchy and anticipating potential threats or pressures.
Conclusion
As you've seen, there are many gangs in prison ready to force you into violence. And the reality is, violence is almost guaranteed 99% of the time. You must be prepared to fight and stay vigilant, but just as importantly, you need to maintain strong OPSEC while incarcerated. Survival odds are much lower in prison than on the outside, and keeping your personal information secure becomes far more challenging. This is why anyone involved in illegal activities must be fully prepared for the possibility of prison, understanding both the physical and mental demands of navigating that environment.
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Crabmeat
2025-07-27
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