Prison Gangs Two: Black Guerilla Family V. Aryan Brotherhood

            Another major gang rivalry that takes place in our prison system is that of the Black Guerilla Family and the Aryan Brotherhood. The clash between these two well know prison gangs is strongly in part because of the different races. It is well know that prisons are full of segregation, most of the inmates stick strictly to their own race in order to ensure a higher level of protection. The case between these two prison rivals is similar to that of the Mexican Mafia and the Nuestra Familia.

             A former member of the Black Panthers, George Jackson, formed the Black Guerilla Family, or BGF, in 1966. (Fleisher & Decker Pg.1) The BGF is considered one of the most political and revolutionary minded prison groups; which scares the prison management and even the public. (Fleisher & Decker Pg.1) The Black Guerilla Family aligns with Nuestra Familia to protect themselves from the Whites and Mexicans.

            The opposition for the Black Guerilla Family is the White group that goes by the Aryan Brotherhood. According to, InsidePrison.com, the Aryan Brotherhood was formed from a 1950’s prison gang “The Blue Bird Gang” in San Quentin State Prison in 1967. The Aryan Brotherhoods main concerns are, supreme white power and protection against enemies like the BGF and NF. To assist them with this protection they have aligned with the Mexican Mafia.

"Aryan Brotherhood: Prison Gang Profile." Inside Prison - inside Prison Life, Prison Stories, Prison Conditions. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. <http://www.insideprison.com/prison_gang_profile_AB.asp>.           

Fleisher, Mark S., and Scott H. Decker. "An Overview of the Challenge of Prison Gangs." Corrections Management Quarterly 5.1 (2001): 1.