Prison Gangs: ‘I've Chopped People, Attacked Staff, Hidden Drugs’

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Inside the concrete walls of high-security prisons, a world exists that many on the outside can scarcely comprehend. It is a world ruled by violence, control, and survival. Prison gangs, far from being an underground operation, have established their own order, creating a subculture where the lines between right and wrong blur, and the rules of the outside world no longer apply. One of the inmates, whose story is both shocking and revealing, shared his experiences from behind bars, painting a picture of life within these isolated, brutal enclaves.

For those incarcerated, joining a gang often feels like the only viable option. "If you're not in one, you're a target. It's that simple," says Darren (name changed for privacy), who has been in and out of prison for the last 15 years. The way Darren talks about prison life reveals the depth of the hold these gangs have over those who enter the system. "They're the ones who run everything inside. The officers? Nah, they're nothing compared to the boys in the gang. You either follow their rules, or you don't survive."

His initiation into a gang came early in his sentence. At first, Darren resisted, thinking he could keep his head down and avoid trouble. But in prison, staying neutral is rarely an option. "I was minding my business, just trying to get through the time. But then this bloke came up to me, said he needed a hand with something. I thought it was just a small favor, but I was wrong. Before I knew it, I was caught up in something way bigger."

The "favor" Darren speaks of was no small request. He was asked to "deal with" another inmate who had disrespected one of the gang's leaders. This was his test. "They gave me a shiv, said I needed to make a point. I hesitated for a moment, but I knew if I didn't do it, they'd come after me next. So I did what I had to do. Chopped him good." He describes it without emotion, as though the violence has become routine.

It's a recurring theme in Darren's story: the normalization of violence. To outsiders, the idea of "chopping" someone seems horrific, but within the prison walls, it is often seen as a necessary evil. Gangs use violence as a way to maintain power, assert dominance, and ensure loyalty among their members. Those who hesitate or refuse quickly find themselves isolated or worse.

Attacking prison staff is another part of life for gang members, though Darren admits it's not something done lightly. "You don't go after the screws unless you've got a reason," he says, using the slang term for prison officers. "But sometimes, they're just in the wrong place at the wrong time." He recounts one incident where tensions between rival gangs boiled over, leading to a full-blown riot. In the chaos, a guard was attacked and left bleeding on the floor. "It wasn't planned, but when you're in the middle of a riot, everyone's fair game."

These riots are not uncommon, often sparked by disputes over territory, drugs, or perceived slights between different gangs. Darren explains how the gangs are split largely along racial and geographic lines. "You've got the blacks, the whites, the Hispanics, and each group runs their own thing. The whites, we've got our own network. We deal with our own problems. You don't mess with the others unless you're looking for trouble."

Drugs play a central role in prison gang operations, both as a commodity and a weapon. Smuggling them in, selling them, and controlling their distribution gives gangs enormous power over the prison economy. Darren admits that he's hidden drugs more times than he can count, often in the most unsavory places. "You do what you gotta do. If they tell you to mule something in, you do it. There's no arguing."

The sophistication with which gangs smuggle drugs into prisons is staggering. Some use family members or visitors to bring in contraband, hiding it in food, clothing, or even children's toys. Others rely on corrupt guards who are willing to turn a blind eye for the right price. "Some of the screws are just as crooked as the inmates," Darren says, smirking. "They'll do anything if the money's good enough."

But with power comes paranoia. Darren talks about how gang members are constantly looking over their shoulders, both for rival gang members and potential snitches. Betrayal is met with swift and brutal consequences. "You never know who's going to turn on you. One day they're your brother, the next day they're ratting you out to the screws. I've seen guys get taken out for less."

Despite the fear and violence, Darren remains loyal to his gang. He speaks of them as family, a bond forged in blood and necessity. "On the outside, I've got no one. In here, I've got the boys. We look out for each other. Yeah, we do some messed up stuff, but that's just how it is in here."

Darren's story highlights the systemic issues within the prison system, where gang culture has taken root so deeply that it has become an almost inescapable part of life for many inmates. For some, joining a gang is a matter of survival. For others, it's a way to gain power, respect, and protection in an environment where those things are scarce.

He speaks with a sense of inevitability, as if the path he chose was laid out for him long before he stepped foot in prison. "I grew up around this. My old man was in and out of the system, my brothers too. It's in the blood, I guess. I never had a chance to do anything different."

Prison reform advocates have long pointed to stories like Darren's as evidence of the need for change. They argue that overcrowding, underfunding, and the lack of rehabilitation programs create a breeding ground for gangs, perpetuating a cycle of violence and crime that extends far beyond the prison walls. But for many inmates like Darren, the idea of rehabilitation seems like a distant dream. "They talk about second chances, but not for people like me," he says. "Once you're in this life, there's no getting out."

As our conversation draws to a close, Darren looks around the sterile interview room, his eyes flicking towards the door where two guards stand watch. "I've seen things in here that would make your skin crawl. But you get used to it. You have to. Otherwise, you won't last long."

His words are a stark reminder of the world that exists within the prison system, a world where survival often means sacrificing one's humanity, and where loyalty to a gang can be the difference between life and death. For Darren, the choices he has made may seem inevitable, but they are also a reflection of a broken system that has allowed gang culture to thrive behind bars.

In the end, Darren is not looking for sympathy, nor is he asking for forgiveness. He's simply telling his story, a story that, for many others like him, has become all too common in the unforgiving world of prison life.

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