"We have no friends"
The California prison system if you really look it breaks down to your relationship with Blacks.
In all the state prisons on one side of the yard you have Mexicans from Bakersfield south, euphemism "Surenos" (Southerners, southen cali). All Whites are on their side, from all parts of California. The whites are usually the smallest or next to smallest (Others...get to that later), in prisons and years ago made an alliance with the Surenos. If the Surenos fight in a war in prisons (usually with Blacks) they have to. No choice. But not the reverse. It's up to Surenos and its situational. The last group is the Paisas. These are Mexican nationals. Born and raised for the most part in Mexico but these days Salvadoreans and other central Americans. A lot of them are cartel related smugglers who got caught or Illegals who did a crime. They all have a loose alliance, can eat and do business with each other in prison.
On the other side of the yard are Blacks. These are Crips, Bloods, and just regular brothers from all of California. Depending on numbers, if big enough Crips have their own set, Bloods have their own set and also by city. Also on that side are the 'Others', these are all non Latino/Central American latinos, non White, Non Black prisoners, Pacific Islanders, Asians, even Arabs and often Puerto Ricans or Cubans who are from the east coast and for whatever reason got caught up in some crime and convicted. Nortenos are also on this side. These are Mexicans that live north of Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto all the way up to the Bay.
Neither side of the yard f*cks witih the other, generally. Its all situational. The fighting is situational. Some fights are 'on sight'. Surenos and Nortenos used to fight on sight. Didn't matter where or when you got it in. The Surrenos may 'green light' , same thing as on sight maybe just Crips or Bloods. Sometimes its just Asian gangs. In Long Beach the Asian gangs often beef with the Mexicans. The biggest of which are Longos (spanish for Long...Long Beach). And if its bad enough, it goes into the prisons and those Asian gangs are on sight. Long Beach also has the largest Cambodian population in America I think or close to it and they are Cambodian Crip sets. It gets a bit complicated.
On the street southern Cali Mexican gangs kill each other, like Florence 13 and 18th Street in LA. But in prison they are forced to be allies. You could have a 18th Street member be the shot caller over his Florence 13 rival (based on seniority and age) in prison but see each other on the street and shoot each other. Why? Le Eme, and all Southern cali gangs must include 13 (13th lettter- M) incorporated into their name. If you are Gardena mexican gang you are Gardena 13 or Gardena Trece (spanish for 13).
Its all a bit confusing even if you are in Cali. But the irony is California known as the most liberal state with all these liberal laws and the prison is possibly the most racially segregated.
Things that may spark a war? A white crip or blood. It happens. Or a Latino crip or blood. It happens. Whites and Southern Mexicans always demand any white or mexican crip leave the yard and go into PC (Protective custody). But Blacks don't trip if there is a black in a Mexican gang (it happens). Its one sided actually.
The largest group by far are the Surenos. That being said, Blacks are the best fighters by far. Generally, Blacks will see a 2-1 fight as an equal fight, 100 v 50 of them. Blacks stay the most 'battle ready'. Every day pretty much there are 'fades' (fights) between Blacks. No knives, shanks, just hands for any number of reasons. A new Crip comes in and his rival on the street asks for a fade. A guy gets fouled too hard on the basketball court and no foul and asks for a fade later. You must fight.
Lastly, one thing that is universal among ALL groups on the yard the following people aren't allowed on the yard period:
1. You are charged for being a molester or harmed a child.
2. You were charged for rape.
3. You snitched on someone.
When you hit the yard you must show your court paperwork. No one tolerates any of those on your paperwork. No exceptions.
Also, for the most part, rape and homosexuality is no longer accepted in the Cali prison system. Not saying it can't happen but if it does, its generally the Blacks. Mexicans completely outlaw it, so do the whites. Its rare though.
I'm no expert and I may have gotten some of it wrong, but its my understanding as I know it.
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