The Mexican Mafia Prison Gang

The Mexican Mafia, also recognized as La Eme, started in the 1950s in the California Department of Corrections. It began as a street gang in urban Los Angles. Violence is the most known factor against anyone crossing the gang and who is not involved in La Eme. La Eme has California roots, but has extended to many other states and extremely active in the Federal prison system. La Eme is most active in the California and Texas prison systems. The Mexican Mafia (EME) has substantial operating control inside the prisons and is extremely dominant on the outside. The crucial factor to the organizations power is that most drug dealers find their way to prison. Therefore, the EME convincingly can intimidate drug dealers outside of prison with retribution once the dealer receives some sort of prison sentence. In addition, prison is the one circumstance in which members of different gangs are in the same place. As a result, by retaining control inside the prison, the EME can tax hundreds of gangs.

National and multinational structure and operating methods

The EME uses a hierarchical system with three basic levels with members, associates, and soldiers. The EME has a simple set of rules in place, reinforced through inside punishment, incorporating harsh acts of violence. The Mexican Mafia manages and influences all illegal activities not only in the prison system but also in the streets as well. The Mexican Mafia’s main illegal activities are drug trafficking, extortion, internal prison discipline, and violent crimes. The Mexican Mafia applies substantial pressure on most Southern California Hispanic street gangs, known in the streets as “Sureño” gangs. Because there is no single individual in charge, the members have equal power and voice in operations of the organization. Investigators have found that any single person does not lead the EME. Many members have the power to order murders and oversee various other criminal activities. They have almost a thousand associates...