Violence, extortion and prison politics is tearing away the fragile fabric of prison life in Massachusetts Correctional Facilities. In Souza-Baranowski, a 1500 man maximum security prison, gang culture has influenced every aspect of safety and security protocols including the segregation of rival gang members and creation of cell blocks housing known gang members. In 2014 when I first arrived in Souza-Baranowski, the prison gangs were loosely developed with little organization. An Irish gang called the Boyo's were active. Traditional gangs like the Blood's and Crips were not organized as they are today. There was little tribalism. The Us against Them culture which unified these organizations hadn't seeped into Massachusetts Correction's. Today, groups like the Blood's and Crips must be carefully segregated. Prisons are a microcosm of neighborhoods where convicts reside. Gangs identify themselves from their neighborhoods. An incarcerated individual may ask: ''where are you from?'' Then narrow the location to a neighborhood or street or housing project. Housing projects and neighborhoods are recruiting grounds for young impressionable gang members. It is common for gang members, often called ''Bangers'', to identify by street locations or zip codes and telephone area codes. 617, for example, is Boston. And further identity markers may be a particular area, like Chelsea or Somerville. Once a gang member narrows the area they establish the housing project or street. This point of reference helps identify the tribalism associated with gang membership. The notorious Blood's mantra: ''blood in blood out'' is real. In Souza-Baranowski prospective recruits are routinely ''jumped in'': violent membership in the gang during a cell fight ritual. Inmates will enter a prison cell with gang members then take a beating as evidence of their commitment and solidarity with the gang. Once a young recruit becomes a member they can be called on to perform obligations like drug smuggling, or violent acts against rivals. There is no shortage of tasks designed to constantly prove allegiance to the gang. During my time in MCI-Norfolk, a medium security institution, I learned Blood's members would introduce new gang members to girls who would facilitate the introduction of drugs into the prison. These ''girlfriends'' would ''hold down'' the incarcerated individual and help with facilitating money and drug transactions. The melancholy truth is young gang members are uneducated and afraid. Socially inexperienced and often illiterate. An entire generation lost to ignorance and craving some acceptance. Gangs offer a brotherhood. A sense of family identity with very little judgment beyond the prison politics associated with life behind bars.
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