6 Documentaries on the Aryan Brotherhood and Its Criminal Enterprises
Inside America's White Supremacist Prison Gang
The Aryan Brotherhood, a notorious prison gang with a history spanning over 40 years, has become a subject of fascination for documentary filmmakers. These documentaries explore the origins, growth, and criminal activities of this secretive and violent organization. They offer viewers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of one of America's most infamous prison gangs.
Several documentaries have been produced that examine the Aryan Brotherhood's rise to power and its criminal enterprises both inside and outside of prisons. These films often feature interviews with former members, law enforcement officials, and experts on gang culture. They provide insight into the gang's structure, recruitment methods, and the challenges faced by authorities in combating its influence.
1) "Inside the Aryan Brotherhood," directed by "National Geographic"
"Inside the Aryan Brotherhood" offers viewers a rare glimpse into one of America's most notorious prison gangs. The documentary explores the origins, structure, and criminal activities of the Aryan Brotherhood.
National Geographic's film features interviews with former members, law enforcement officials, and prison staff. These firsthand accounts provide insight into the gang's inner workings and recruitment methods.
The documentary examines the Aryan Brotherhood's white supremacist ideology and its role in prison violence. It also delves into the group's involvement in drug trafficking and other illegal activities both inside and outside correctional facilities.
Viewers learn about the gang's use of coded communications and its complex hierarchical structure. The film highlights the challenges faced by authorities in combating the Aryan Brotherhood's influence within the prison system.
"Inside the Aryan Brotherhood" sheds light on the ongoing efforts to dismantle the organization and prevent its spread to other correctional institutions.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1742785/
2) "Aryan Brotherhood: A Long March," by VICE News
VICE News produced this documentary to explore the inner workings of the Aryan Brotherhood. The film delves into the organization's history and current operations within the U.S. prison system.
Interviews with former members provide firsthand accounts of the group's activities. The documentary examines how the Aryan Brotherhood maintains its power structure and carries out illegal operations from behind bars.
Law enforcement officials and prison administrators offer insights into the challenges of combating the organization. The film also touches on the Brotherhood's connections to criminal networks outside of prisons.
"Aryan Brotherhood: A Long March" sheds light on recruitment tactics and the indoctrination process for new members. It discusses the group's white supremacist ideology and its impact on prison culture.
The documentary explores the Aryan Brotherhood's involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and violence within correctional facilities. It also examines efforts to dismantle the organization and rehabilitate former members.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13669034/
3) "Gangland - Aryan Brotherhood," produced by "History Channel"
"Gangland - Aryan Brotherhood" offers an in-depth look at one of America's most notorious prison gangs. The documentary explores the origins, structure, and criminal activities of the Aryan Brotherhood.
Viewers gain insight into the gang's operations both inside and outside prison walls. The film features interviews with law enforcement officials, former gang members, and crime experts.
The documentary examines the Aryan Brotherhood's role in drug trafficking, extortion, and murder-for-hire schemes. It also delves into the gang's white supremacist ideology and recruitment tactics.
"Gangland - Aryan Brotherhood" sheds light on the challenges faced by authorities in combating the organization's influence. The film presents a stark portrayal of the gang's impact on the U.S. prison system and criminal landscape.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1232205/
4) "The Real Story of the Aryan Brotherhood," by "Crime+Investigation"
"The Real Story of the Aryan Brotherhood" is a documentary produced by Crime+Investigation that explores the origins and operations of the notorious prison gang. The film delves into the Aryan Brotherhood's formation within California's prison system in the 1960s.
Interviews with former members and law enforcement officials provide insights into the gang's structure and criminal activities. The documentary examines how the Aryan Brotherhood expanded its influence beyond prison walls, engaging in drug trafficking and contract killings.
The film highlights the gang's use of violence and intimidation to maintain control within prisons. It also discusses the challenges faced by authorities in combating the Aryan Brotherhood's criminal enterprises.
"The Real Story of the Aryan Brotherhood" offers a comprehensive look at the gang's history, rituals, and impact on the U.S. prison system. The documentary provides viewers with a deeper understanding of this dangerous white supremacist organization.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8404726/
5) "Aryan Brotherhood: A Secret Society," by "Smithsonian Channel"
"Aryan Brotherhood: A Secret Society" offers a detailed look into the notorious prison gang. The Smithsonian Channel documentary examines the group's origins and its rise to power within the U.S. penal system.
The film explores the Brotherhood's complex hierarchy and internal codes. It highlights the gang's expansion beyond prison walls into organized crime activities on the outside.
Interviews with former members and law enforcement officials provide insider perspectives. These firsthand accounts shed light on the gang's recruitment tactics and initiation rituals.
The documentary also covers the Brotherhood's involvement in drug trafficking and other criminal enterprises. It examines the challenges faced by authorities in combating the organization's influence.
Archival footage and reenactments help illustrate key events in the gang's history. The film presents a comprehensive overview of the Aryan Brotherhood's impact on the American criminal landscape.
https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/show/aryan-brotherhood-a-secret-society/1004506
6) "Inside the American Mob: The Brotherhood," by "National Geographic"
"Inside the American Mob: The Brotherhood" is an episode from National Geographic's documentary series exploring organized crime in America. This installment focuses on the Aryan Brotherhood, a notorious white supremacist prison gang.
The documentary provides an in-depth look at the origins and operations of the Aryan Brotherhood. It traces the group's formation in California's San Quentin State Prison during the 1960s and its subsequent spread throughout the U.S. prison system.
Interviews with former members and law enforcement officials offer insights into the Brotherhood's internal structure and criminal activities. The film examines how the gang maintains control within prisons and extends its influence beyond prison walls.
The documentary also explores the Brotherhood's involvement in drug trafficking, extortion, and contract killings. It details some of the group's most infamous crimes and the efforts of law enforcement to combat their operations.
Viewers gain understanding of the challenges faced by authorities in countering the Aryan Brotherhood's activities and influence within the prison system.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3164468/
History and Origins
The Aryan Brotherhood emerged in the 1960s as a prison gang and evolved into a powerful criminal organization. Its formation was a response to racial tensions and desegregation in the California prison system.
Formation of the Brotherhood
The Aryan Brotherhood formed in 1964 at San Quentin State Prison in California. White inmates banded together for protection against other racial groups in the newly desegregated prison environment.
Initially small, the group grew rapidly as racial conflicts escalated. Early members adopted white supremacist ideology and Nazi symbols. The Brotherhood established a strict code of conduct and initiation rituals.
Violent acts were required for membership, cementing the gang's ruthless reputation. By the late 1960s, the Aryan Brotherhood had spread to other California prisons.
Evolution Over Time
The Aryan Brotherhood expanded its influence throughout the U.S. prison system in the 1970s and 1980s. It shifted focus from racial ideology to criminal enterprises, particularly drug trafficking and extortion.
The gang developed a sophisticated organizational structure with a central leadership council. Members used coded communications and secret symbols to coordinate activities across prisons.
Outside prison walls, the Brotherhood established connections with motorcycle gangs and other criminal groups. This allowed them to extend their reach and increase profits from illegal activities.
By the 1990s, law enforcement considered the Aryan Brotherhood one of the most dangerous prison gangs in America. Despite crackdowns, the group maintains a significant presence in the prison system today.
Criminal Activities and Operations
The Aryan Brotherhood engages in a wide range of criminal activities both inside and outside prison walls. Their operations are highly organized and rely on a hierarchical structure to maintain control and influence.
Major Crime Involvements
Drug trafficking stands as the Aryan Brotherhood's primary illegal enterprise. The gang controls distribution networks in many prisons and extends operations to street-level sales. They also engage in extortion, often targeting fellow inmates and their families for protection money.
Contract killings form another significant part of their criminal portfolio. The gang carries out murders for hire, both within correctional facilities and in the outside world. Weapons smuggling into prisons provides another revenue stream.
Money laundering helps the Brotherhood conceal their illicit profits. They utilize complex schemes to funnel funds through legitimate businesses and financial institutions.
Organizational Structure
The Aryan Brotherhood operates with a paramilitary-style hierarchy. At the top sit a small group of high-ranking members who make key decisions and direct operations.
Below them are lieutenants who oversee regional factions and relay orders to lower-ranking soldiers. This tiered system allows for efficient communication and control across multiple prisons and outside networks.
The gang employs coded language and secret symbols to communicate covertly. Tattoos often denote rank and affiliation within the organization.
Strict rules and a "blood in, blood out" policy ensure loyalty among members. Violations of the gang's code can result in severe punishments, including death.
