Racism and the American Prison System...in media!

(Photo Courtesy of www.policemag.com)

I was watching one of my favorite shows, Police Women of Maricopa County, and they had a special episode following the jobs of their female Detention Officers in their jail houses. In this show, there was an issue going on within the inmate community between the hispanic and black races. Apparently, there were written by-laws within each group that all the inmates have to follow in order to have the protection of their own race. If you are white, you were called a "Wood", and hand written papers were passed off to you as you walked in the General Population Pod. Some of these rules included things from what time you need to work out, when to wash your hands, and which TV to go watch during recreation time. If you are hispanic, you were not allowed to bunk with black inmates because of this secret race war that was going on. If you were black and a hispanic was assigned to bunk with you, you would be considered a "Wood" if you didn't break a rule (which added jail time to your sentence) in order to be switched to a different cell. These types of rules between the races, self-segregation, is an extreme form of active racism. Not only are the races governing themselves within the jailhouse, but they are forcing their own members to commit crimes to get their way. That's like, using the system against itself.

It's a hard issue to investigate, as Officers are pitted against inmates to try and get as much information as they can. This proves to be near impossible as all the inmate featured in the episode refuse to cooperate with the Officers and even risk their own freedom to deny knowledge or participation in gang actions. Eventually, as with all groups, there is always that person who's will isn't as strong as the others, and cracks under pressure. However, and at least in this episode, that was not the case.

A Mexican male was housed with an African American male and, acting as a group, broke the toilet in their cell so that the Detention Officers had to remove them and rehouse them in different cells. To test the theory that there was a secret race war, Officer Molina, an Italian female, moved them both into cells that had members of the opposite race. Reluctantly, the African American inmate walked into the cell, showing through body language that he was visibly upset about housing with a "paisa". However, the Mexican male refused to enter the cell with another African American inmate, saying "I can't go in that cell, Molina." As refusing to house is against the statutes of the County Jail, the inmate was detained in the disciplinary level for questioning and 30 days of solitary confinement. During the interview, he said "I can't house with no black", and that was the most revealing information he would offer up to the Officers.

The other inmate that was moved got into a fight with his new cellmate, proving Officer Molina's theory, so he was sent to solitary and then was also placed in the disciplinary level.

Gang wars are a major issue in the American Prison system. This is apparent in Hollywood cinema through a large number of the movies where Prison life is the focus. To give an example, I will also take a look at Blood In, Blood Out: Bound By Honor. This movie starts in 1972 in East Los Angeles. If follows the lives of cousins Miklo, Cruz, and Paco, who all start out at the same place and neighborhood, and then follow 3 very different paths. The movie, in my honest opinion, is the Mexican version of Boyz N The Hood. It follows very distinct stereotypes which plague the Mexican American community and places then in very hostile environments.


(Photo Courtesy of Hollywood Pictures)

Miklo is a mixed race, light skinned teen who runs away to live with his mother after getting into a fight with his father. The mother, as typical in Chicano culture, is seen throughout the movie wearing pretty dresses, make up, and jewelry and seems very submissive in her demeanor. In this case, she says she is relying on her ex's check to survive, making it appear that she cannot support herself.

Paco is the typical "tough guy", cholo type who is hard nosed and self-loathing. He is "el gallo negro" or the black rooster in his boxing world, and is the half-brother of Miklo. He calls Miklo names such as "milk-weed" "white boy" "guero" and "milk chocolate". He is as tough as nails and as sharp as one too. He also shows little respect for his parents and only acknowledges them once they snap at him to get his attention.

Cruz is an artist, who has a love for cars. His passion is to paint, and he is very good at it. He loves his car, typical in Chicano culture, and spends a lot of time cleaning it. He is so talented, he wins a scholarship in high school for his art work. It is interesting to note that a White, blond male presents him his award and scholarship, though is probably of little meaning. During his celebration, you see the cholos smoking weed, drinking tequila, wearing bandannas, and the girls full of make up. During a would-be love scene, Cruz is beat, given a broken back, and stabbed by a rival gang, but saved from death by a resident of the barrio. He later returns to painting and then has a showing to sell his artwork. His white business manager bars his "carnals" from going into the party because "we don't want to lose sales because of 'those' people".


(Photo Courtesy of Hollywood Pictures)

Miklo, being light-skinned, is out to prove himself to the other "Vato Locos" in his barrio. He is always teased and taunted for being light-skinned, so it's no surprise that he will go lengths to get acknowledged. He goes as far as to commit murder with his homies in revenge for the attack on Cruz. He is the only one caught and is shipped off to Prison. While in Prison, he joins the Mexican gang "La Onda", which means "The People". Gang politics inside the pen erupts, as race is pitted against race in the ensuing race wars. There are many murders and heinous acts committed by and against "The Aryan Vanguard" and the "Black Gorilla Army", with Miklo becoming one of La Onda's leaders. Homosexuality is seen throughout the Prison period, as men using sex to gain power and authority over the weaker inmates. Miklo, being an attractive, light-skinned Mexican boy with blue eyes, uses his sexuality to lure in one of the Aryan Brothers in an assassination move. This move was required of him to join "La Onda", as their moniker is blood in, blood out. I think it's played out as being very homoerotic for such a masculine film, but keeps some truth to the situation and issue of the Prison system. It also depicts many of the cross-dressing men that are in the Prison system, showing that a) they do exist and b) they are just as powerful as the other race gangs.


(Photo Courtesy of Hollywood Pictures)

Once out on parole, Miklo continues the criminal activity, and during an Armored Truck robbery, he faced with a member of his family. Paco, during all the years, joined the Marine Corps and became a Police Officer with the LAPD. He faced off with Miklo when his unit foiled the robbery plan, and shoots Miklo's leg off. It's an emotional moment for the characters and the viewers and you see brother versus brother, decision versus decision, in which the law wins. Miklo goes back to jail, secretly assassinates La Onda's leader, and becomes the new "Jefe".

Cruz becomes addicted to heroin and, due to his addition, foolishly leaves out his drugs where his younger brother dies from an accidental overdose. Cruzito blames himself for the death of his hermanito for the rest of his days, never making it out of the barrio.

In the end scene, Cruz and Paco remember the old days and where they have gone in life, both taking blame for the life Miklo ended up living, but happy they are still alive.