International Journal on Criminology Volume 3, Number 2, Fall 2015 | Page 78

Organized Crime Behind Bars
The prison roots of the Tien Dao Man differentiate it from other triads in
Taiwan—it is described as “mixed” by local experts 261 because, alongside its illegal
casinos and prison trafficking, it also has legal activities in the outside world. Its
situation is unique in its attempt to remain legal while being entirely founded on triad
money. Profits from legal business are in their turn used to help the criminal group.
This “legality” remains relative. One of the charges brought against the “spiritual leader”
of the triad, the recently convicted former independent parliamentary representative
Lo Fu-Chu was that of “misappropriation of funds.” 262 He was sent to prison for four
years. Does anyone truly expect his criminal activities to cease—much less his legal
dealings?
In Britain, according to criminal intelligence services cited in a judgment
of 2009, 263 the Gunn brothers, Colin and David, leaders of the Bestwood Cartel of
Nottingham and both in prison, continued to lead their group and organize their
trafficking from their cells. Colin logged onto his Facebook account daily, allowing
him to communicate directly with hundreds of people. By January 29, 2010, he had
565 “friends,” prisoners like him or members of his gang, signing his messages with the
very martial motto of the gang: “Chin Up, Chest Out”. Although their use is prohibited,
he almost certainly had the use of a smartphone.
2 - Prison Gang Control over External Criminal Groups
That prison gang members are bound by a lifelong oath is a universal rule.
When they are released, or escape, they are fully expected to remain loyal to the group,
especially to members left behind in prison. They most often do so, while at the same
time resuming their criminal activities.
Those who “betray” the gang after their release or escape know they will be
caught by the “law inside” on the fateful day they find themselves back in the prison
system, or perhaps even before.
It is this relentless logic that largely explains the domination of prison gangs
over the criminal population of the street—groups and individuals alike. In prison,
there is simply no escape from their punishment. The penalties applied by the prison
gangs are far more summary than those of the judicial system, and betrayal is always
punishable by death.
Since 1993 the Mexican Mafia has imposed a “tax” on all sales of drugs to
Hispanic street gangs in Southern California, designed in principle to help the Sureños
in prison, a logic common to all prison gangs. Some Maravilla 264 gangs, ostensibly
under the authority of the Eme, have refused to pay the tax, considering themselves
261
“In Taiwan, we divide criminal organizations into four types—temporary groups, local gangsters,
local organizations and mixed groups The Tiendaomeng belongs to this category of mixed groups.”
Yang Tzu-ching, former officer of the criminal investigation bureau. Taipei Times, November 11, 2001.
262
Taipei Times, September 26, 2003.
263
Sunday Times, January 31, 2010.
264
Generic name of Hispanic gangs in East LA.
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