International Journal on Criminology Volume 3, Number 2, Fall 2015 | Page 72

Organized Crime Behind Bars
controlled by a senior leader—yet, to date, none of them has been charged. According to
testimony from members of the gang who knew of the affair, Lawrence K. was probably
murdered on the direct order of Lord Gino (Colon). K. and other guards reportedly
found cocaine in Colon's cell. Such a brazen affront would have been unforgivable and
Lawrence K.'s execution “before the day is out” would have been ordered. 222
Another object, psychologically as important as drugs and coveted as much, is
the weapon. Depending on the country and the level of sophistication of the institution
involved, the nature of weapons differs. In South America guns are commonplace while
knives are preferred elsewhere—but anything is possible, anywhere. 223 All prison gangs
are involved in the trafficking of weapons; sometimes they form an alliance against the
administration. Some prison gangs have members specialized in the supply and hiding
of arms.
Besides drugs, weapons and cigarettes, any commodity may be traded in the
prison world according to opportunity and resources. Each phase of the traffic is always
under the control of the prison gangs, increasing their influence and power.
Prison gangs are not the only ones to take advantage of traffic inside. Guards are
involved too. In Grootvlei, 224 four inmates got their hands on a mini video surveillance
camera and filmed the guards 225 selling alcohol and drugs, 226 pimping out “sex slaves,”
and even providing a firearm (loaded) to a prisoner. 227 The most brutal scene in their
movie showed a prisoner having sex with a minor who had been “delivered” to his
cell by corrupt guards. The “Grootvlei Four,” all condemned to heavy sentences,
had taken care to film themselves negotiating drug deals with the guards. They then
handed the cassettes 228 to the governor of the facility 229 who forwarded them to the Jali
Commission. The case was a national scandal. The guards were suspended immediately
and the governor was transferred 230 one week later. The leader of the Four, Gayton M.,
was released on parole two years before the end of his minimum term. 231 All four were
sentenced to death by the 26 gang. 232
222
Knox. Gang profile: The Latin Kings.
223
The administration of the Pontiac facility (Illinois) has never found three firearms on which it
received information.
224
At Bloemfontein, South Africa.
225
Around twenty in number. South African Presss Association (SAPA), June 19, 2002.
226
The specialty of one guard, who had a luxury car and a comfortable home, was the supply of
brandy. He was selling ten to twenty bottles per week and earning extra income of some $1,700 per
month. Dispatch Online, July 16, 2002.
227
Prison Warders Filmed Selling Drugs and Sex. South African Press Association, June 19, 2002, citing
the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
228
Two and a half hours in total.
229
The four inmates were placed under special protection on the same day. As soon as word got out,
one of them suffered two assassination attempts.
230
SAPA, June 26, 2002.
231
SAPA, February 28, 2003.
232
According to Marius Engelbrecht, a “Major” of the 26s, “They will die in prison, there is no safe
place for them—not in any prison in the country.” Minutes of the Jali Commission, Bloemfontein
Supreme Court, June 28, 2002, 743.
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