I have a dear friend who is incarcerated down in Texas and he's in admin. segregation since he's considered a security risk. He desperately wants out of the gang he's affiliated with, but they're going to turn on him (inevitably). I suspect he could request protective custody, but I've heard in order to get approved, you have to rat out your fellow gang members. In fact I read about this happening to another man in Texas and he DID give up names. Only to be denied PC, and then he was thrown to the dogs (his own gang members ate him alive.) It scares me. I wonder if he's screwed no matter what he does. If he stays with this gang, he'll continue to live a life of violent crime and never get out of prison. If he gives anyone up, he'll be a rat and his life will be in great danger. Is there any hope? Any possibility for him to escape? I know nothing about gangs... and I don't feel like I can help my friend with any decent advice.

I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I know you must be really concerned as I am too for my fiancee in a Texas CI in BIg Springs. I too have listed two threads on this subject and just like you quite a few other PTO members view my thread but NO ONE seems to want to reply.

Many it's a subject too sensitive to talk about but all I know is that it is not a small problem, its a BIG problem. If you search the web you will find all sorts of articles about the danger of these gangs, the predominance they have in many facilities.

At least your friend has been put in admin segregation or he would be in danger. My fiance is also in SHU due to his risk of security. It is unfair that an inmate has to be in solitary confinement when he is not the aggressor, but it is better than being subjected to violence of these gangs.

My only suggestion, for that is why I wish some PTO members would reply to one of us, is that you try and research as much as possible on the type of gang, its methods of violence and how they treat someone wanting to get out of it. Many are what they call, blood in, blood out and that can mean even death.

I am going to see if a transfer is possible by contacting the Judge who sentenced Luis but it doesn't sound real easy. How long is his sentence? If not too long, hope he stays in protective housing. What facility is he at?

If you wish to discuss this without all details being published, send me a private message and maybe you and I can discuss via another venue. Anyone else in similar situation can do the same. IT may be why we don't seem to get any responses from others on PTO. Maybe it's just too dangerous.

Keep the faith and your friend is lucky to have someone who cares and doesn't turn their back on him just because he got in trouble when he was young and stupid like my guy.

Lois

I have a dear friend who is incarcerated down in Texas and he's in admin. segregation since he's considered a security risk. He desperately wants out of the gang he's affiliated with, but they're going to turn on him (inevitably). I suspect he could request protective custody, but I've heard in order to get approved, you have to rat out your fellow gang members. In fact I read about this happening to another man in Texas and he DID give up names. Only to be denied PC, and then he was thrown to the dogs (his own gang members ate him alive.) It scares me. I wonder if he's screwed no matter what he does. If he stays with this gang, he'll continue to live a life of violent crime and never get out of prison. If he gives anyone up, he'll be a rat and his life will be in great danger. Is there any hope? Any possibility for him to escape? I know nothing about gangs... and I don't feel like I can help my friend with any decent advice.

Well, I wish I had more helpful advice -- but things are a bit different here in Cali.

Our gang problems here are so bad that one good thing has come about -- many prisons now have special yards for gang dropouts that are pretty safe. Everyone is screened pretty vigorously to get in and the yards have a low rate of violence overall, it's much more of a live and let live vibe.

These protective custody yards (called SNY, Sensitive Needs Yards) are increasing as more people see that they want out of gangs. And most of the guys don't really "rat" when they de-brief, they often just tell the cops things they already know. But yes, they are marked, and it is risky. But so is staying in gangs.

Houston you are right it is a very sensitive subject AND a huge problem.

ps. If either of you want to pm me too, feel free.

I have no idea about how to get out of a gang My husband and I are both in them (different ones) and ive begged my husband to get out but 90% of the time it is safer to stay I know that if my husband tried to leave we would alleither have to go to the witness protection program or die maybe if they speak with the Chaplin at there prisons canhelp them

It depends on what gang it is. Ms Stacey, do you know?

My Will was in (is in) a very violent and wide spread gang, he was a ranking member when he was sent to prison and has either been in disp. seg or admin seg for the past 5 years because of it. We are lucky he is doing time in INdiana where the gang is not as powerful inside as in other states. HE too wants to be done with it and is looking at everything involved to get away fom it. He has petitioned to go to general pop. and will keep his affiliation until he is out of prison, much to my dismay, but it is safer that way for both of us. He keeps me pretty sheltered from that side of his life, but I do know how concerned and worried he is - I am sorry you are going through this - I'm not a lot of help, but wanted u to know you are not alone. If u want to pm me feel free and we can talk more about the specifics - names etc.

I'm in Canada and here the gang problems are not as bad but they are getting there the biggest issues we have is with Native gangs...and the thing is I know of people that have been denied parole because they stuck with the gang and then when they got out were planning to ditch...so sometimes it is a lose lose situation my husband was part of a gang and with him recently being resentenced many of the prisons would not accept him because he is "gang related" and they don't want that in there prison! so I wouldn't even know where to begin in helping your friend it's sad that alot of people join these gangs to be cool but as they grow up more and more they realize that the gang life is not the life for them...And i know in the gang world it's Death Before Dishonor!

I think for the most part the term gangs are pretty much a topic that for the safety of all concerned both on and off the www, it is writer beware.

My only suggestion would be to see if a transfer is possible.

My husband nor myself are not in any gangs. However he has been in prisons where there are and they can be quite powerful.

My husband pretty much stays to himself and keeps his business private.

I wish you all alot of luck and hopefully you will find something that can aide you in helping your loved ones as well as yourself if you are in a gang and looking to get out.

All I can offer you is my support. I know next to nothing about gangs except what I see on TV......I hope your guy can walk away from them and still be safe....you both are in my thoughts!!

penwife

Well it looks like it has been a while since anyone has posted on this thread but let me say that in the state of texas the gangs within the prisons are pretty tough and even if he did get a transfer there will be someone on the next unit who gets a kite (short letter) from another gang member. Best thing he can do is lay low, stay in ad seg or protective custody. As far as speaking to someone, most units have a Security Threat Group Sgt. who researches and keeps up with all the gang members on that particular unit. They would definately be the person he would go to if he wanted to talk about getting out and seeing what advise the STG Sgt had for him. He shouldnt talk to anyone else about it. The unit that he is on is a rough unit- ferguson unit in midway texas and the guys there dont play. I have a good friend of mine that is over there and tho he is not involved with the gangs he is doing his own dirt so he knows the low down on everything. I used to work for TDCJ and I can tell you that if he has the opprotunity to get a transfer to somewhere he definately wants to go to a smaller unit, they are usually pretty laid back and dont have a lot of violence.

I haven't seen any other posts on gangs... until this one. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. My son (a SO in NJ) has to get a copy of his face sheet in order to prove that he didn't molest a child -- or he'll be "dealt with" by one of the gangs. A fellow inmate was at County at the same time as my son and recently moved in to the same building. The new guy spread the word. I've sent my son his face sheet 6 times so far... but it's confiscated from his mail each time (I think in order to protect him, but it's doing the opposite) My son won't tell me anything more about the situation except to say that he met with "the head guy" who believes him and is currently looking out for him. (sounds a little iffy to me) He also said that there is a group (gang?) that is against abuse, violence, etc. and they will protect him from the others.......... he has no idea about gangs -- or at least he didn't before he was incarcerated. Is there a group called "Neyeto" or something like that? Am I asking too many questions? Maybe I'm being stupid. AND, you don't mean that they literally "ate him alive" do you? I'm still trying to learn about all of this.... and am frustrated.

I wish I had something positive to add here. As a criminal justice student, what we read in the "books" is considerably different than the real life situations. I do know that with gangs it's almost impossible to get out as long as there is some affiliation there. i.e. other members of the same gang. I will keep you and your loved on in my prayers. Not being from TX I really don't have any sound answers for you and for that I am truly sorry. :(

Patti

I see it's been over a month since anyone has posted here. I hope that all of those having problems with "gangs" are doing ok. Here is a link that gives you a little bit more of an insight with prison gangs. I hope that the information here will help you and not scare you.
http://www.gangsorus.com/prisongangs.html
In my opinion it's better to be informed rather than be left in the dark.
Best wishes to all
Patti

There is a series of specials running on Court TV now about various prisons, I saw one last night on Super Max in Utah and I saw one on Pelican Bay and it was all about gangs. They are repeating these shows so if you can carch the one on pelican Bay it is worth watching.