Law enforcement officials report that the Mexican Mafia is the deadliest and most powerful gang within the California prison system. Government officials state that there are currently β official members of the Mexican Mafia [ 30 ] with thousands of hitmen and associates within prison and an estimate of more than 50, loyal foot soldiers who also carry out its illegal activities on the streets in the hopes of becoming full members.
The Mexican Mafia has immense influence and control over every Hispanic street gang in Southern California, including the notoriously brutal MS and 18th Street Gang , since in the prison system inmates are recruited into gangs based on race regardless of street gang affiliation.
The U. Government considers the Mexican Mafia to be "among the most powerful, dangerous and feared criminal organizations in the world". The Mexican Mafia was formed in by thirteen Hispanic street gang members from different Los Angeles neighborhoods who were incarcerated at the Deuel Vocational Institution , a California Youth Authority facility, which is now an adult state prison in Tracy, California. Gang warfare between Hispanic neighborhoods was the norm during the s and 60s, so the fact that Luis Flores was able to get established enemies to set aside their rivalry upon entry into the prison system was something that was not thought possible.
This requirement exists to the present day. La eMe member Ramon "Mundo" Mendoza claims that in the beginning the overall goal was to terrorize the prison system and enjoy prison comforts while doing time. It is said that the name "Mexican Mafia" was to show organization similar to the American Mafia but it was later changed so as not to be confused with it. Furthermore, the black hand symbol was a reference to the Black Hand of the early 20th century.
By , violence got so bad at the Deuel Vocational Institution that administrators transferred a number of the charter La eMe members to San Quentin Penitentiary in the hopes of discouraging their violent behavior.
