﻿ 10 Of The World’s Most Dangerous Prison Gangs

10 Of The World’s Most Dangerous Prison Gangs

While there are plenty of dangerous gangs that operate across countries all around the planet, many of the most vicious and deadly are located in prisons. Despite security in correctional facilities being so high, the fact that so many violent and sadistic people are in such close proximity means that they will inevitably join together in separate groups. Such prison gangs can be incredibly powerful in jails, organizing the drug trade on the inside and carrying out extreme acts of violence to protect themselves and their members.

Black Guerilla Family

Sometimes going by the name of the Black Family, the Black Guerilla Family actually began in 1966 and is one of the most feared gangs in all of the US. Operating mostly in California, they are closely associated with the Black Power Movement and have violent feuds with racist gangs such as the Aryan Brotherhood and the Nazi Low Riders.

Nuestra Familia

While the Nuestra Familia gang was founded within the prison system, they have no problem with committing a range of acts out in public. They are believed to be involved in a number of extortion and drug dealing operations, while police also suspect the gang carries out frequent executions.

415 Kumi Nation

415 Kumi Nation is a primarily black prison gang, though it is also open to members from other ethnic groups, that grew out of the Black Guerilla Family. Their biggest operations involve targeted attacks on other prisoners and organizing crimes on the outside, often with the help of prison guards and associates in the public.

Public Enemy Number One

Described by officials as one of the fastest growing prison gangs in the country, Public Enemy Number One is a white power group that has several rivalries with Hispanic and black gangs. Having entered into arrangements with the Nazi Low Riders and the Aryan Brotherhood, they have developed a sophisticated meth operation.

The Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos

The Hermanos de Pistoleros Latinos gang is a notorious Hispanic group that has more than 1,000 members across a range of prisons in the south of the United States as well as in Mexico. They largely concentrate on drugs trafficking into the United States from Mexico, though they have also been implicated in a number of violent crimes.

Mara Salvatrucha

Located in El Salvador, the Mara Salvatrucha prison gang, otherwise known as MS-13, operate in a variety of prisons across the country. They operate a number of criminal activities, such as assassinations, intimidation and drug dealing, leading to them becoming one of the most feared gangs in the world.


Mexikanemi is a prison gang that is probably better known by the name of Texas Mexican Mafia. Operating since the 1980s, they are responsible for one of the biggest drug trafficking schemes in the United States, trading cocaine, meth, marijuana, heroin and ecstasy. They are also closely associated with the Mexican drug cartels.

The Aryan Brotherhood

Arguably one of the most famous prison gangs, the Aryan Brotherhood is known for its association with Nazism and violence. They have an estimated 20,000 members who help run its drug trade and are in constant clashes with the Black Guerrilla Family. Despite the fact that they only make up around 1% of the prison population, they are believed to be responsible for up to 20% of all murders.

The Numbers Gang

Exclusive to the prison system of South Africa, the Numbers Gang has been operating for more than 100 years. They essentially control a majority of the facilities in the country and make a great deal of income from gambling, drugs and trading. They keep a tight control over the inmates through severe violence.

Texas Syndicate

The Texas Syndicate originated during the 1970s as a way to protect immigrant and Hispanic prisoners from violence within various prisons in the United States. They have since evolved into a fully-fledged gang that is well known for its vicious retaliations against rival gangs and anyone who betrays them.