The History and Background of the Non-Traditional Prison Gangs
In addition to the
"traditional" prison gangs identified on the
Prison Gang page, there are many other prison gangs that are lesser known
and non-traditional but none the
less dangerous, prison gangs. These other prison gangs frequently align
themselves with other prison gangs who may have similar cultural or
criminal beliefs. In some instances prison gangs (and street gangs)
have been known to have truces with rival prison gangs strictly for the
purpose of facilitating their criminal activities; i.e. supply and
distribution of narcotics.
Although
the following non-traditional prison gangs usually have the largest number of members in the
corrections system in which they originated, many have spread (through
the interstate compact system) to other state departments of corrections
as well as the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
NOTE:
In many instances the gangs have multiple tattoos to represent the gang.
Tattoos are used by gang members for identification and intimidation.
Inmates who are not a member of a particular gang, but are found to
be wearing the gang tattoo, risk having the tattoo removed from their
body by violent means, or even death.
The Arizona Aryan Brotherhood is a white supremacist
group whose members believe in having pure bloodlines in the white race.
The group formed in the Arizona Department of Corrections in the mid
1970's.
The Arizona
AB believe in the philosophy of "Blood In - Blood Out." To
become a member, the prospect must kill someone. The only way out of
the group is to be killed.
Members
stay to themselves in prison and feel that they do not need the help
of any other gang. They are generally respected by the other inmates
because of their ability to control and monitor their own activities.
ARIZONA'S OLD MEXICAN MAFIA
This gang is also known as the Arizona Original
Mexican Mafia. Established in 1977, it is a faction of the Mexican Mafia
that was formed in the California prison system in the late 1950's.
In 1984 a split occurred and a second gang, known as "Arizona's
New Mexican Mafia" emerged. A fierce rivalry developed between
the two gangs and the Old Mexican Mafia, as well as Mexican Mafia members
are subject to attack by the New Mexican Mafia members if they are placed
in the prison population together.
The Old
Mexican Mafia patterns itself after the organizational structure of
the California Mexican Mafia, which includes as its leaders a General,
Captains, Lieutenants, and soldiers.
ARIZONA'S NEW MEXICAN MAFIA
In 1984 this group was formed as a result of
a split from "Arizona's Old Mexican Mafia." In order to be
completely independent of the other Mexican Mafia gangs, the gang adopted
its own constitution, rules and regulations.
ARYAN BROTHERHOOD OF TEXAS
The Ayan Brotherhood
of Texas (ABT) originated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the early 1980's. It is patterned after the California Aryan Brotherhood who sanctioned the use of their name.
A council, or steering committee, provides leadership. This committee approves prospective members, makes decisions on gang rules, and is responsible for resolving problems between members. The committee is also the authority, which issues orders for "hits" or "contracts."
Adversarial rivalry exists between the ABT and the Mandingo Warriors, La Nuestra Familia, Black Guerilla Family and other black groups.
ABT gang members frequently attempt to hide their gang affiliation by claiming to be members of the Aryan Nations, which preaches white supremacist views as a religion
ARYAN CIRCLE
The newer white supremacist gang in the Texas prison system, they are making a name for themselves and growing quite violently with deadly attacks against the Texas Aryan Brotherhood. It is believed that a suspected Aryan Circle prospect was responsible for an officer's murder at a southern prison in TDCJ in December of 1999. Following that vicious murder, another Aryan circle member stabbed and killed an ABT member at a nearby facility.
According to sources, the AC was founded in 1985 by Mark Gaspard and was formed due to the fact that some "Whites" had become too radical in their beliefs. The AC is believed to consist of three branches; incarcerated men and incarcerated women and an external branch which consists of non-criminal "White" men in the free world. The original AC patch, or tattoo, is a small circle usually worn below the left breast. Their hierarchy consists of a president, vice president, majors, captains, and several other titles.
Beliefs of the AC include separation of the white race from all others for the betterment and preservation of the race. They consider their enemies to be all who are against them and those who attempt to oppress them. Some members are ex-ABT members. The AC have now been designated as a Security Threat Group and members, when identified, are place in administrative segregation.
Originating in the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice (Department of Corrections) the Barrio Azteca's activities were
first tracked within in the system about 1990. Many of the original
inmate members were from the West Texas area of El Paso but since organizing,
they have permitted some inmates from other parts of the State of Texas
to join their ranks.
Like other
prison gangs they attempt to control the prison system, and the inmates
within the system, through illegal activity. Reported criminal activities
have included drugs, prostitution, extortion, intimidation of staff,
assaults, and murder.
The organizational
structure of the Barrio Azteca is as follows: President, Vice-President,
Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant and Warrior.
They do
not have a specific tattoo but have been known to use an Aztec Indian
head. A tattoo with one feather signifies the rank of lieutenant and
two feathers, the rank of captain.
Barrio
Azteca members are known for their propensity for violence and membership
is for life. Serious association with members of other prison gangs
such as the Texas Syndicate, La Raza Unida, Aryan Brotherhood of Texas
and the Mexican Mafia is not tolerated.
Dead Man Inc - DMI
Dead
Man Inc, originated as a white gang in the Maryland Department of
Corrections about the late 1990's . Perry Roark, one of the
original three founders, was respected by the members of the Black
Guerilla Family prison gang in the system, but when he tried to join
them he was rejected.
Although rejected by the BGF, the founders adopted the BGF
basic philosophy which is anti-government, anti-authority.
The DMI quickly grew in numbers, absorbing smaller gangs along
the way, and today it is the third largest gang in the MD
DOC, They are known for their violence against inmates and
staff and will reportedly do contract murders for the BGF.
The DMI has now spread outside of the prison walls to the
streets and to several other states. In it's haste to
grow, some of the lower level leaders allowed non-whites to join
and an order was issued that all non-whites had to leave the
gang by 4/13/09 or face the consequences. It is unknown
what effect this edict had on the membership.
The
date 4/13/09 had significant meaning; 4-13-9 represents letters of the
alphabet that correspond to those numbers - D-M-I
The DMI
sometimes use the color black as an identifier. They also use the
"eye and pyramid" symbol found on a U.S. dollar bill. The eye
represents strength and knowledge and the pyramid represents power.
DIRTY WHITE BOYS
The name of this gang is believed to have originated in the federal system in 1985 and stems from the name of a prison softball team. As the name implies it is a "white" gang but does not appear to have white supremacy philosophies. It is found in many of the Federal Institutions and is associated with the Aryan Brotherhood, Texas Syndicate, Aryan Brotherhood of Texas and possibly the Mexican Mafia.
A members tattoo is referred to as his "patch" and includes the outline of his home state (Texas, California, etc.)
HERMANOS DE PISTOLEROS LATINOS
AKA Pistoleros Latinos
When translated the name of this group means the "Brotherhood of
Latin Gunmen." Also known as the HPL, the group was founded in
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the mid 1980's. The HPL
has been reported to be involved in many criminal activities to include
gambling, inmate assaults, protection rackets, staff intimidation and
murder.
Internal
problems within the group forced a division among the members and today
one faction calls itself the "Sixteen - Twelve," or 16/12.
These numbers refer to the 16th and 12th letters of the alphabet; P/L
or "Pistoleros Latinos." The other faction calls itself the
"Forty-Fives," and uses as one of its known tattoos, the .45
caliber automatic pistol. Although operating as separate factions, the
groups follow the constitution and other rules of the HPL.
Membership
is for life and membership is for inmates of Latin origin only; persons
who speak Spanish or who are descendants of Latin or Hispanic families.
LOS SOLIDOS
The Los Solidos gang formed about 1990 or 1991. It was formed for reasons of "self protection" and is basically comprised of two street gangs from Hartford, Connecticut - the "Ghetto Brothers" and the "Savage Nomads." Translated Los Solidos means "the solid ones."
The Los Solidos are considered to be a prison gang in Connecticut correctional facilities and they are also active in the streets of Hartford and Waterbury, CT
A committee which includes an executive president, vice president and five executive "stars" governs the Los Solidos.
The members identify themselves by wearing a bandana that is half blue and half red. This comes from the original colors of the Ghetto Brothers (blue) and the Savage Nomads (red); the combined colors denote solidarity between the two groups.
They will also wear the tattoo depicted in the picture above.
The member's name will frequently appear in the tattoo.
MEXIKANEMI
Translated, Mexikanemi means "Free-Mexican." This gang formed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1984 and is also known as the Mexican Mafia. (Note: This gang is sometimes mistaken as the traditional Mexican Mafia of California. It is a separate group.) The Mexican Mafia also refer to themselves as La Eme (Spanish pronunciation for the letter "M.") while the Mexikanemi sometimes refer to themselves as EMI.
After forming, the group rapidly grew to become the largest gang in the Texas system (numbers reported only as "Mexican Mafia") and became known for criminal activity to include extortion, drugs and murder. They state that they will conduct any criminal activity that will benefit their advancement including contract assassinations.
The Mexikanemi has a constitution and is structured along paramilitary lines with a President, Vice-President, General, Lieutenants, Sergeants and Soldiers.
A Mexikanemi member must be prepared to give up his life or to take the life of someone else at any time.
NAZI LOW RIDERS
According to an article in the California Correctional News, the Nazi Low Riders
are the fastest growing gang in the California prison system. They
originated in California Youth Authority during the 1970's at Preston
School of Industry, and recently have developed a power base from within
Los Angeles and Orange Counties in Southern California. From this
power base, the NLR have spread hate throughout the State of California
and the prison system.
They seem
to recruit white members in the prison system from smaller, less active
prison gangs whose members are "looking for a place to park their
anger, hatred and predatory ways."
Over 1,000
NLR members have been identified in the system and because of their
propensity for violence toward staff and other inmates there is grave
concern.
It is believed that some of the NLR are aligned with, and owe allegiance to the Aryan
Brotherhood. Other members of the NLR see themselves as a separate entity
that will do anything to be more violent than the AB.
The New Mexico Syndicate is also known as the Syndicato Nuevo Mexico. It has a close alliance with, and subscribes to, the philosophies of the Mexican Mafia. The SNM gained notoriety after the riot in the New Mexico State Penitentiary in 1980. The SNM is considered to be the most violent and most powerful of all of the Security Threat Groups within the New Mexico Department of Corrections.
SNM members follow a chain of command and are led by a Don (General) and a group of long time, respected inmates, called "The Panel." The general membership is known as soldiers. Known enemies of the SNM are members of another Hispanic group known as Los Carnales. (meaning: The Brothers)
Northern Structure
It is believed that the Northern Structure is a spin-off of La
Nuestra Familia. This may have occurred due to the Federal RICO prosecution of many LNF members in 1982. The NS is an ethnic organization with primarily Hispanic members
that is sometimes known as Nuestra Raza or NR (Our Race). Its primary gang activity is narcotics trafficking. The group is antagonistic towards the Mexican Mafia and the Texas Syndicate.
NS members display many tattoos used by La Nuestra Familia. They also use XIV (fourteenth letter of the alphabet - N) to show alliance with the Norte or Norteños of Northern California. The Aztec eagle may also be seen in their drawings or tattoos.
PRM/MEXICLES
It was noticed that some of the Mexican nationals were grouping up and running in tight circles. The origins are still vague but they hang together for protection due to the fact they are off-limits to being recruited by the other gangs. The HPL are the only ones that actually have recruited a few of them. The PRM (Partido Revolucionario Mexicano) are said to be the more cultured, dignified of the two and rumor has it they are also aligned with the PRI (Mexican Political Party). The Mexicles are those not good enough to join the PRM. It is hard to tell the difference between the two as they write the same lingo and are pretty closely knit. They are very violent because of them not wanting to be deported when they are released from prison. There are generals for the different regions and are well organized. The PRM do have a tattoo but only a few have been seen on offenders.
They have been known to side with the TS, Barrio Azteca and MM, depending upon the unit and the situation. They are rapidly growing.
Puro
Tango Blast, or Tango Blast - Although anyone can join, TBis a collection of various regionally-based groups (Home boys or
Homies) of mostly Hispanic gang members who have banded together
for protection from established the older, violent prison gangs, now
mostly known as Security Threat Groups.
The TB has no hierarchy which is appealing to the members.
Neither does it have a set initiation procedure for joining.
One initiation used is a "beat-in" where a prospect must fight
several other members. If he lasts and does not surrender,
he is inducted into the gang. Another appealing aspect of
the gang is the fact that when an inmate is released from
prison, he is free to leave the gang and does not continue to
owe allegiance the gang.
Generally, Tango members identify
themselves by sport team logos or area codes from their home town or
region.These following four
Tangos represent the earliest Tangos to form in Texas.
Austin - known
as Capiruchas and use the Texas capitol building as their symbol.
Dallas
- known as D-Town and may use the Dallas Cowboys football logo - a 5
point star.
Fort Worth - known as Foritos, may use the 817 area code as their
symbol.
Houston - known as Houstones
and may use the Houston Astros baseball logo - a broken 5 point star.
Other areas of Texas have their own Tangos, notably West Texas, known as
Puro West or Wesos, often displaying the area codes 806 or 432, or the
numbers 23-20 representing the 23rd and 20th
letters of the alphabet - W T. Other sets are the Valley, known
as Vallucos, San Antonio, known as Orejones , Corpus Christi,
known as Corpitos and El Paso, known as Chucos.
The following
full length video appeared on the History Channel program, Gangland as part of their
on-going series about street and prison gangs. TIME: 42 MINUTES
Click screen to open
After opening, right click for "pop up" box - Left
click "full screen"
TEXAS MAFIA
The TM originated in the Texas Department of Corrections in the early 1980's and is comprised of predominately white convicts and ex-convicts. It is known as an organized crime-type entity.
Many of the members are drug traffickers and have extensive knowledge about drugs and trafficking. Members often specialize in methamphetamine and many have close ties with motorcycle gangs. The TM will commit robberies, burglaries, thefts, etc. for other gangs for 15% of the value of the goods.
This gang has displayed a propensity for violence and has been reported to have been involved in inmate homicides. They have also been linked to "outside" criminal activity.
The Texas Mafia and the Texas Syndicate have very close ties and they refer to the TS members as their cousins. They have been known to carry out "hits" for the TS.
Tattoos may be found on the right forearm or behind the right shoulder. Texas Mafia rules dictate that a TM inmate must be tattooed before leaving the Texas Department of Corrections
TRI-CITY BOMBERS - TEXAS CHICANO BROTHERHOOD
Originating in the1980's, in the tri-city area of Pharr, San
Juan and Alamo, Texas, the Bombers began as a break dance crew
called the Tri-City Poppers. This was not a money making venture so they did petty crimes.
Subsequently, many of its members were sent to prison and became
associate members of the Texas Syndicate.
The leaders of the group wanted to take the group to a higher level. A confirmed Texas Syndicate member, who saw the potential in the group, took them under his wing and schooled them with the blessing of the TS.
In 1994, several Tri City Bombers members
split from the gang and formed the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. It
should be noted that the Texas Chicano Brotherhood carried with
it,the initials of the Tri-City Bombers - TCB. The Tri
City Bombers did not approve of the split and declared war with
the Texas Chicano Brotherhood. The Texas Syndicate, Tango
Blast and Mexikanemi all joined in on the attack against the
Texas Chicano Brotherhood to prevent the new gang from
establishing itself in the Texas prison system.
Both the Bomber and Brotherhood constitutions mirror the
TS's.
Tri City Bombers Symbols:
Classic 1950’s cars, Bombs, TCB.
Territory: Pharr, San Juan and Alamo, TX
Alliances: Texas Syndicate
Members: 500
Ethnicity: Hispanic
TRINITARIOS
Trinitarios
started in New York City as a prison gang within the NY City Dept of
Corrections and then the State DOC, during the early 1990s (1993). They
were formed as a protection gang for Dominican inmates who were drug
dealers, gang members from Dominicans Don’t Play, Los Papi Chulos,
Dominican Power and Dominican Posse, because the Latin Kings and Netas
were the dominant force in the jail/prison system at the time. Most of
the members of the Trinitarios, also called Trinitarians, were jailed
on drug charges and weapons charges. As the members were released, some
remained in the gang and called themselves the Trinitarians/Trinitarios
because they wanted their own identity, especially separate from the
largest Dominican gang in New York which was the Dominicans Don’t Play.
The word “Trinitario” means “The Trinity” or “Special One”.
Trinitarians currently do not affiliate with other gangs and are
rivals with Bloods (Ruff Ryders, Dip Set), Crips (FOLK), Latin
Kings, Netas, D.D.P (Dominicans Don't Play), Bones (Mexican),
and a dozen others. They have been seen on several video
recording beatings of rival gang members and street robberies on
YouTube (Oct 2007)
Trinitarios, currently, are the fastest growing gang in the
New York/New Jersey area. They are seeking to establish
themselves as the most violent gang and are willing to show
their merit but they are still pale compared to the most violent
gang in the northeast: The Bloods!
TRINITARIOS IDENTIFIERS
3Ni
Trini 7 Poppin' all Droppin' Nation
DPL: Dios Patria Libertad
OT (Original Trinitario)
Green Bandana or Green beads
Green clothing
Red, White, Blue (Dominican Flag)
SOURCE: Lou Savelli, NYPD (retired)
OTHER LESSER KNOWN PRISON GANGS
THE BULLDOGNATION
Gangs in the Fresno, California, area have long gathered under the collective banner
of the "Bulldogs". Fresno is in California's central valley area and is the home of
California State University, Fresno (CSUF). Fresno is also located approximately in
the middle of the state from a north/south perspective. The mascot of California State,
Fresno, is, what else, a bulldog. The school colors of CSUF are conveniently enough,
red.
This collection of gangs has maintained a lack of
affiliation with Hispanic gangs
claiming Sureños or Norteños. The Bulldogs claim "14" like
Norteños gangs but
instead of writing it "NXIV" or "N14" they use "F-14". The F naturally being for
Fresno.
During the prison wars of 1984 and 85 the Nuestra Familia, and later, the Northern
Structure, tried to recruit inmates claiming F-14. The F-14 inmates resisted these
efforts and physical confrontations resulted. This led to an all out war between the
prison gangs. The F-14 inmates also continued their "natural" enmity with those
Hispanics claiming affiliation with Southern California gangs. They believe that they
are a "nation" apart from the Norteños and Sureño gangs.
By 1986 F-14 began adopting the Fresno State Bulldog as its logo and using the
initials "BDS". In 1989 Fresno County authorities started noticing that local juvenile
gangs were identifying with, and adopting, the Bulldog symbol. These gangs, both
juvenile and adult, have been noted for the violent nature of the crimes they commit.
As with most groups that participate in violent activities, the Bulldogs put an emphasis
on recruiting in quantity, not quality, of members. A primary means bulldogs use for
recruiting is intimidation. As with other gangs they also use family associations, money,
drugs and women to recruit members.
As previously stated the Bulldogs have adopted the Bulldog as its logo. It is often
seen in tattoos with a spiked collar in a wide variety of poses. Some of the most
common poses are with the dog seeming to break through the skin, running,
body-building dogs and the bulldog head with dog tags that read "F-14", "BDS"
(Bulldogs)or FBD"(Fresno Bulldogs).
Bulldogs, perhaps more so than any gang, have unified their links from the
neighborhood street gang, to city affiliations, county affiliations and into state
institutions.
Source: Juvenile Street Gang: Intelligence and Consultation
415 - KUMI
The 415 KUMI is a Black gang that originated in the San
Francisco Bay/Berkley area of California in 1985. The are now
referred to as the 415 KUMI. 415 represents the area code for
the region. When added together, the numbers 4+1+5 = 10. KUMI
is the Swahili word for “ten.”
The 415's
advocate "taking back the streets" by any means necessary. In
California’s Folsom Prison, the 415’s have provided pools of inmates,
such as the Bloods, for recruitment into the Black Guerilla Family –
BGF. They aspire to resume activities formerly carried out by the Black
Guerilla Family - BGF.
KUMI 415
have been reported to use prison guards to authorize violence against
fellow inmates, such as the case in August of 2003 when former
correctional officer Leon Holston was charged with aiding and abetting,
battery with serious bodily injury, filing a false report by a peace
officer and unlawful communication with a prisoner (Associated Press
Newswires 9 Sep 2004).
The
group is led by a "supreme leader and will cooperate with the Bloods but
not the Crips.
The image
above symbolizes an Egyptian type Black man rising up from the continent
of Africa.
The 415’
KUMI have been reportedly incarcerated in the following California
facilities:
Folsom State Prison
Monterey County
Jail
Pleasant Valley State Prison, Coalinga
Salinas Valley
State Prison
MANDINGO WARRIORS/SEED BROTHERS
The MW formed in Texas about 1984 as a result of antagonism by other gangs; the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas, the Texas Mafia and the Texas Syndicate. They have attempted to recruit lesser known black gangs into their group. Known tattoos include a warriors shield with crossed spears behind the shield and a sword below. In addition, the MW (Seed Brothers) may have a tattoo of a watermelon with five seeds on the right hand. Variations of this tattoo may be the watermelon without the seeds or the seeds without the watermelon.
BORDER BROTHERS
The "Border Brothers." are mainly found in the California Prison system but are slowly finding there way to other systems. According to sources, the BB are rapidly becoming the fastest growing and largest of the Hispanic gangs in the Nevada prison system. Most BB are undocumented Mexican immigrants whose contacts reach back to Mexico and to the streets in the United States. Most BB are in prison for drug offenses Using their contacts, they continue to sell narcotics inside the prison wall.
Tattoos that may be found on BB members include, Border Brothers, BB, or BB 22 (2 represents the 2nd letter of the alphabet - 22=BB). They may also have the name of their home or birth state in Mexico.
The Sinaloa Cowboys
The Sinaloa Cowboys are drug traffickers, mostly from the
Mexican States of Sinaloa, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila,
Durango, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon and Sonora. The Cowboys are very
loyal to their birth places, many of which are villages or
ranchitos. The Cowboys originated in Sinaloa but due to
the formation of other cartels in the other regions, they are
now sometimes referred to as the "Cartel Cowboys." They
have a reputation for being vicious and ruthless in their
dealings.
Identifiers
The most significant identifier is the Stetson cowboy hat.
These hats are very expensive, costing from several hundred
to several thousand dollars.
Shirts are usually long sleeve, made of silk material and
extremely loud colors. They may be stenciled on the back
with a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or a Mexican flag.
Pants are usually Wrangler, tight fit, straight leg, off
white or beige in color.
Belts are made with expensive hand engraved patterns.
Belt buckles may be made of metal depicting an AK-47 and/or a
marijuana leaf. The buckles may also bear the initials
"WBP" - Wet Back Power.
Boots are made from cow hide, elephant, iguana, ostrich
and cobra snake skin. The boots have pointed toes and are
extremely expensive.
Jewelry is custom made and very heavy and expensive.
Tattoos - "WBP"
Weapons - Their favorite is the AK-47 known as the "cuerno
de chivo." (horn of the goat) This description is related to the
magazine shape. they also like the "LAW" M66 Rocket Launcher,
other assault rifles, and shotguns. Their handguns of
choice are the Colt .38 Super, the Colt.45 or most 9 mm
caliber weapons. They have been known to use U.S. gang
members to commit assassinations and to smuggle narcotics
across the U.S./Mexican border.
Vehicles - The most popular are the Chevrolet Silverado,
Dodge Ram and the Ford 150 pickup trucks. The trucks may
have secret compartments to conceal narcotics and money. A
small lariat may hang from the interior rear view mirror and
pictures of brahma bulls may be painted on each side of the
truck.
Additional information for many of the above "Other Prison Gangs"
The Arizona Aryan Brotherhood is a white supremacist
group whose members believe in having pure bloodlines in the white race.
The group formed in the Arizona Department of Corrections in the mid
1970's.
The Ayan Brotherhood
of Texas (ABT) originated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the early 1980's. It is patterned after the California Aryan Brotherhood who sanctioned the use of their name.
The newer white supremacist gang in the Texas prison system, they are making a name for themselves and growing quite violently with deadly attacks against the Texas Aryan Brotherhood. It is believed that a suspected Aryan Circle prospect was responsible for an officer's murder at a southern prison in TDCJ in December of 1999. Following that vicious murder, another Aryan circle member stabbed and killed an ABT member at a nearby facility.
Originating in the Texas Department of Criminal
Justice (Department of Corrections) the Barrio Azteca's activities were
first tracked within in the system about 1990. Many of the original
inmate members were from the West Texas area of El Paso but since organizing,
they have permitted some inmates from other parts of the State of Texas
to join their ranks.
Dead
Man Inc, originated as a white gang in the Maryland Department of
Corrections about the late 1990's . Perry Roark, one of the
original three founders, was respected by the members of the Black
Guerilla Family prison gang in the system, but when he tried to join
them he was rejected.
The
date 4/13/09 had significant meaning; 4-13-9 represents letters of the
alphabet that correspond to those numbers - D-M-I
The name of this gang is believed to have originated in the federal system in 1985 and stems from the name of a prison softball team. As the name implies it is a "white" gang but does not appear to have white supremacy philosophies. It is found in many of the Federal Institutions and is associated with the Aryan Brotherhood, Texas Syndicate, Aryan Brotherhood of Texas and possibly the Mexican Mafia.
When translated the name of this group means the "Brotherhood of
Latin Gunmen." Also known as the HPL, the group was founded in
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in the mid 1980's. The HPL
has been reported to be involved in many criminal activities to include
gambling, inmate assaults, protection rackets, staff intimidation and
murder.
today
one faction calls itself the "Sixteen - Twelve," or 16/12.
These numbers refer to the 16th and 12th letters of the alphabet; P/L
or "Pistoleros Latinos." The other faction calls itself the
"Forty-Fives," and uses as one of its known tattoos, the .45
caliber automatic pistol. Although operating as separate factions, the
groups follow the constitution and other rules of the HPL.
The Los Solidos gang formed about 1990 or 1991. It was formed for reasons of "self protection" and is basically comprised of two street gangs from Hartford, Connecticut - the "Ghetto Brothers" and the "Savage Nomads." Translated Los Solidos means "the solid ones."
Translated, Mexikanemi means "Free-Mexican." This gang formed in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in 1984 and is also known as the Mexican Mafia. (Note: This gang is sometimes mistaken as the traditional Mexican Mafia of California. It is a separate group.) The Mexican Mafia also refer to themselves as La Eme (Spanish pronunciation for the letter "M.") while the Mexikanemi sometimes refer to themselves as EMI.
Tattoos usually are the letters NLR. Other tattoos may include swastikas, pictures
of Adolph Hitler and other Nazi imagery.
Nuestra Familia. This may have occurred due to the Federal RICO prosecution of many LNF members in 1982. The NS is an ethnic organization with primarily Hispanic members
that is sometimes known as Nuestra Raza or NR (Our Race). Its primary gang activity is narcotics trafficking. The group is antagonistic towards the Mexican Mafia and the Texas Syndicate.
NS members display many tattoos used by La Nuestra Familia. They also use XIV (fourteenth letter of the alphabet - N) to show alliance with the Norte or Norteños of Northern California. The Aztec eagle may also be seen in their drawings or tattoos.
Dallas
- known as D-Town and may use the Dallas Cowboys football logo - a 5
point star.
Fort Worth - known as Foritos, may use the 817 area code as their
symbol. 
Houston - known as Houstones
and may use the Houston Astros baseball logo - a broken 5 point star.
NATION
The 415 KUMI is a Black gang that originated in the San
Francisco Bay/Berkley area of California in 1985. The are now
referred to as the 415 KUMI. 415 represents the area code for
the region. When added together, the numbers 4+1+5 = 10. KUMI
is the Swahili word for “ten.”
The 415's
advocate "taking back the streets" by any means necessary. In
California’s Folsom Prison, the 415’s have provided pools of inmates,
such as the Bloods, for recruitment into the Black Guerilla Family –
BGF. They aspire to resume activities formerly carried out by the Black
Guerilla Family - BGF. 
The "Border Brothers." are mainly found in the California Prison system but are slowly finding there way to other systems. According to sources, the BB are rapidly becoming the fastest growing and largest of the Hispanic gangs in the Nevada prison system. Most BB are undocumented Mexican immigrants whose contacts reach back to Mexico and to the streets in the United States. Most BB are in prison for drug offenses Using their contacts, they continue to sell narcotics inside the prison wall.
