How US Prison Gangs Actually Work (New Mexican Mafia) | How Crime Works | Insider

Manuel Medrano is a former member of the Arizona Mexican Mafia, also known as the New Mexican Mafia, a US prison gang. He was in and out of the Arizona Department of Corrections for 20 years and served time for armed robbery and drug trafficking.

Medrano speaks with Business Insider about the gang structure and hierarchy, as well as ties to the cartels. He covers gang tattoos, language, and rivalries with the Border Brothers. He also talks about the loose alliance the gang had with the Aryan Brotherhood. Medrano discusses corrupt prison guards and offers his opinion on mass incarceration and US drug policy. 

Medrano now runs Phase Two of Life, an Arizona-based charity. He also runs the YouTube channel Chronicles, where he speaks to former gang members.

The Mexican Mafia, also known as La Eme, originated in 1957 in the California prison system. According to law enforcement, the gang is splintered into the New Mexican Mafia, founded in Florence, Arizona, around 1974, and other factions. Many prison gangs in the US take the name Mexican Mafia, including the Mexikanemi, or Texas Mexican Mafia. 

Find out more: phasetwooflife.org 
   / chronicles1  

00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Joining the Gang
02:57 - The Rules
06:06 - The Expansion
07:14 - The Hierarchy
08:29 - The Rivalries
11:18 - On the Street
13:57 - The Money
16:45 - The Recruitment
18:17 - The Codes
21:02 - The Guards
25:13 - The Sting
30:06 - The Aftermath
32:08 - The Future
33:47 - Credits

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How US Prison Gangs Actually Work (New Mexican Mafia) | How Crime Works | Insider