The Firm wanted Frank Mitchell, the Mad Axeman. In 1967 they arranged his escape from Dartmoor Prison. Flesh & Blood: The Story of the Krays, 1991
The Krays felt invincible. To enhance their reputation they hatched an audacious plan to spring one of England’s most dangerous criminals from Dartmoor Prison – Frank Mitchell. The Notorious Kray Twins
There’s nothing glamorous about it. All those Christmases and Birthdays and Holidays and New Years that you miss when you’re banged up inside. You can’t repay. You can’t get those years back. Freddie Foreman
I first met Frank in the dungeon of Wandsworth Prison. He’d just been moved I think it was from Chelmsford. They’d smashed him to pieces; he just survived there. And I was in the dungeon. I had a bit of a, bit of a talk with the Governor. I dived on him. And his telephone – you know the wire on the telephone – wrapped round his neck a few times. But it was an accident; he was trying to do me for attempted murder. And that’s when I first met Frank in ’76. A lot of people in prison today: six foot six, twenty stone, big biceps, and they’re all muppets, all on drugs, steroids, think they’re hard. You’ve seen Frank, have yer, a tiny man, but he’s got the heart of a lion. It doesn’t matter how big these people are with the muscles. They’re never going to have the heart Frankie Fraser had, ever. Charles Bronson, recorded message
A brutal prison gang called the Mexican Mafia … The Mexican Mafia was born in the most violent prisons in California. Gangland s1e3: Code of Conduct, History 2007
You join for life – no exceptions. ibid.
These soldiers on the streets ensure a steady supply of money to the gang’s leaders nearly all of whom are behind bars. ibid.
They had no hierarchy, no bosses, no one man in charge. ibid.
La eMe’s most lucrative racket – selling drugs. ibid.
By the early 1990s the Mexican Mafia was the most powerful gang in California. ibid.
The racist attitudes that divide Black and Hispanic gang members in prison often become ingrained in them before the time they return to the outside world. Gangland s1e5: Race Wars
It’s a war that’s been fought on the streets of California for forty years. It started deep inside these prison walls and over time spilled out on to the streets. Those individuals are the elite members of Nuestra Familia. Order is maintained through discipline and fear. Gangland s1e10: Blood In, Blood Out
It’s a blood in blood out oath that once taken can’t be revoked. ibid.
The NF faces competition from its long-term rival the Mexican Mafia. ibid.
The Mexican mafia is the most influential prison gang in California. Gangland s1e13: Root of All Evil
They began as the most notorious prison gang in Texas. They grew out of a disturbing ideology. They are the ABT, the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas. They rule the streets too. Nowhere is safe. Gangland s4e7: Aryan Terror
A gang built on racial bigotry and violence. ibid.
The ABT developed a deep hatred for two black Texas prison gangs: the Mandingo Warriors and the Self Defence Family. ibid.
Drug profits help finance their brothers on the inside. ibid.
They started as contract killers. And became a vicious menacing army. They are armed and dangerous. They are Dead Men Incorporated. Gangland s4e11: Dead Man Inc
DMI is considered the most dangerous gang in the Maryland prison system. ibid.
Its speciality is murder for hire. ibid.
DMIs must be able to recite The Whisper on command. ibid.
They are assassins. On the front line of America’s and Mexico’s brutal drug wars. And their violence is spreading deeper into the US. From the prisons of Texas they commit torture and murder on both sides of the border without mercy. They are the Barrio Azteca. Once you’re in this gang, you’re in for life. Gangland s5e3: Barrio Azteca
April 8th 1997: the Federal ADX Supermax prison in Florence, Colorado, the most secure in the United States. Without warning three inmates jump a fourth, kicking the man and stabbing him with home-made knives – prison justice is being carried out. The inmate being beaten has got himself on the wrong side of the Aryan Brotherhood, one of the most powerful and notorious gangs in the history of US prisons. Their calling card is violence. Gangland special: Aryan Brotherhood, History 2007
Its history – which begins in the yards of California’s oldest penitentiaries. ibid.
‘The Aryan Brotherhood comes first.’ ibid.
The gang was expanding into new types of crime. ibid.
The Aryan Brotherhood of Texas is one of the most violent hate groups in America. This white supremacist gang operates a criminal network from behind their prison bars. Inside the Aryan Brotherhood
As the ABT makes money it also attracts new recruits. ibid.
Thompson is ready to make his move against the existing leadership of the ABT. ibid.
The highest percentage of their income comes from methamphetamine. ibid.
Those who don’t make it often join Texas’s second largest white prison gang – the Aryan Circle. ibid.
The white supremacist hate group has become a brand. ibid.
33 inmates were murdered in the prison riot of 1980. Inside the Gangsters’ Code: The Burquenos, Discovery 2013
Home to one of the world’s most ruthless prison gangs – The Commandos. Inside the Gangsters’ Code: The Commandos
On the outskirts of Manila, Bilibid Prison spreads out across 1,400 acres; built in 1944 it’s the biggest prison in the world. There are twelve gangs here. ibid.
The authorities allow the gangs to run their own dormitories. ibid.
Our philosophy here is that if people have nice surroundings they’ll feel nicer inside too. Lilyhammer s1e6: Pack Your Lederhosen starring Steven van Zandt & Trond Fausa Aurvag & Marian Saastad Ottesen & Steinar Sagen & Anne Krigsvoll et al, Screw, BBC 2012
Crime in America is down; in fact it’s been going down since the 1980s. And the prison population is bigger than ever. Penn & Teller: Bullshit! s8e7: Criminal Justice, Showtime 2010
We spend more than $50 billion keeping people in jail. ibid.
DNA exonerations have been responsible for releasing over 250 innocent people from prison. And it has helped expose cases of prosecutorial misconduct all over the country. ibid.
When they catch you, you’ll never get out. McVicar 1980 starring Roger Daltrey & Adam Faith & Cheryl Campbell & Georgina Hale & Steven Berkoff & Brian Hall & Peter Jonfield et al, director Tom Clegg
You know my name. You people gave me a fucking number. ibid. McVicar
Ah it’s lovely to see him. He was dead with that twenty-three stretch. Now he’s out juggling. Even if he does have to be in bed by ten. ibid. gangsters in nightclub shortly before McVicar is grassed
Where did you get the hashish? Midnight Express 1978 starring Brad Davis & Irene Miracle & Bo Hopkins & Paolo Bonacelli & Paul L Smith & Randy Quaid & John Hurt & Norbert Weisser et al, director Alan Parker, American embassy dude
Catch the Midnight Express; it’s not a train. ibid. Hurt
It looks like you’re gonna have a new court ... Seems everyone wanted an example made. ibid. embassy bloke
If I stay here, I’m gonna die. ibid. Billy to Max
On the night of October 4th 1975 Billy Hayes successfully crossed the border to Greece. ibid.
It seems like only yesterday you got sent down. Wild Bill 2011 starring Will Poulter & Iwan Rheon & Jason Flemyng & Liz White & Charlie Creed-Miles & Sammy Williams & Morgan Watkins & Leo Gregory et al, director Dexter Fletcher, barman
Eight years, two months and three days for carrying a concealed weapon, supplying Class As, three counts of Actual Bodily Harm, four Grievous and the attempted murder of a community support officer. ibid. probation officer
Second year – that was the real killer … that’s when the hope starts to leave ya. ibid. dad
See me. I’ve just served sixteen years of a ten year sentence – chucked a few Screws over the landing. Took a few prison governors hostage along the way. Call me old fashioned, I’ve done most of my bird down in the dungeons in solitary. But I enjoy me own company. That’s me: Bulla. Big Fat Gypsy Gangster: Bulla the Movie 2011 starring Ricky Grover & Omid Djalili & Tulisa Contostavlos & Steven Berkoff & Peter Capaldi & Rufus Hound & Rochelle Wiseman & Laila Morse et al, director Ricky Grover
Bulla is banged up again. ibid. rozzer