International Journal on Criminology Volume 3, Number 2, Fall 2015 | Page 60

Organized Crime Behind Bars
Nuestra Raza, the “legal face” of Nuestra Familia, applies a fourteen-point
manifesto 164 written by its highest officials, who intend to keep a very tight control over
those they mastermind. The Diamond Tooth, later known as the Bluebird gang, became
a fully-fledged prison gang in 1968 165 as the Aryan Brotherhood. Only one profession
of faith is known of in its rituals, that which urges its members to brotherhood, pride
and loyalty. 166 We also know that the AB is led by a pyramid of triumvirates at national
and state level.
While the Mexican Mafia has no formal constitution, it nevertheless imposes
specific rules. A document seized in 1996 during a search of cells contained a kind
of “code” consisting of twenty-nine rules to be observed by the Sureños, 167 the prison
population over which the Eme holds sway. This code is practical in nature, in contrast
to other more political or philosophical codes.
Its provisions range from forbidding “brothers” to fight among themselves,
the obligation to exercise at least 30 minutes every day, precautions to be taken when
telephoning, the allocation of cells, and the circulation of intelligence to the terms of
payment for clandestine goods. The rules are inculcated to newcomers and strictly
observed; they even provide for a three strikes 168 penal system copied from precisely
the principle that led so many members of the Eme to end up in jail, with one small
difference—a third offense is, as always in this world, punishable by death.
The Gangster Disciples have a centralized and hierarchical structure, not
only having a long written constitution, but also codes and rules for membership
and behavior; they regularly circulate “memos” in the prisons they dominate, often
“reminders of the rules.” They also use “application forms” which applicants must fill
out in great detail in order to have their background checked out.
11. It is each Norteno’s responsibility that is aware of our struggle to teach and school all those
destined for the pinta. No Norteno should enter the pinta blind or without knowledge of our
struggle behind the walls.
12. A Norteno will protect and defend his household to the fullest, no matter the circumstances or
consequences. This means closing ranks with fellow Nortenos during battle. To abandon such
responsibilities will be considered as an act of treason.
13. A Norteno leaving for the streets is encouraged to assist his fellow Nortenos behind the walls in
whatever form or fashion he may choose. This is not mandatory but is a step towards the elite
circle of dedicated Norteno Soldados.
14. A Norteno shall stay abreast of all new laws, policies and procedures. No portion of this format
is to be misinterpreted or abused for personal gain. To do so will be considered as an act of
treason.
165
That is to say when, in the eyes of the prison authorities, it has attained a “sufficient” level of
organization and capacity for harm, which goes beyond the simple level of “disturbance.”
166
“An Aryan brother is without a care/He walks where the weak and heartless won’t dare/And if by
chance he should stumble, and lose control/His brothers will be there, to help reach is goal/For a
worthy brother, no need is too great/He need not but ask, fulfillment’s his fate/For an Aryan brother,
death holds no fear/Vengeance will be his, through his brothers still here.”
167
Hispanics from Southern California originally, and by extension all those in the rest of the United
States, identify with the Eme.
168
Three Strikes and you're out, US laws removing from society third offenders, those considered as
“professional criminals,” with the imposition of a very long sentence.
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