Definition
The Aryan Brotherhood (AB), also referred to as “The Brand,” is a white supremacist prison gang and organized crime group that operates primarily within the United States correctional system and, to a lesser extent, in the surrounding community.
Overview
The Aryan Brotherhood was formed in the early 1960s within California’s prison system and subsequently spread to other state and federal facilities across the United States. Membership is limited to self‑identified white males who have been incarcerated; the group maintains a strict code of conduct that emphasizes loyalty, secrecy, and violent enforcement of its rules.
The organization is involved in a broad range of illicit activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, contract killings, and other forms of organized crime. Law‑enforcement agencies have linked the Aryan Brotherhood to numerous homicides, racketeering schemes, and violent confrontations with rival prison gangs, such as the Mexican Mafia, the Nuestra Familia, and the Black Guerrilla Family.
Outside of prisons, the gang has been implicated in street‑level criminal enterprises that support its internal operations, including the procurement of firearms and narcotics. The United States Department of Justice classifies the Aryan Brotherhood as a “highly dangerous” and “extremely violent” criminal organization.
Etymology/Origin
The name combines two elements:
- “Aryan” – a term historically appropriated by white supremacist ideology to denote a supposed superior “white” race.
- “Brotherhood” – a common designation for fraternal or secret societies, indicating a close-knit, mutually supportive group.
The combination reflects the organization’s ideological foundation in white supremacism and its self‑perception as a tightly bound brotherhood.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Structure | Hierarchical, with a central leadership (often referred to as “the Board” or “the Council”) that issues orders to regional and prison‑level commanders. Cells or “cliques” operate under these commanders. |
| Symbols | Common identifiers include the letters “AB,” a swastika, and the number “13” (representing the 13th letter, “M,” for “Murder”). Tattoos and graffiti often display these symbols. |
| Membership Criteria | Must be a self‑identified white male, typically with a serious criminal record. Prospective members often undergo a period of probation and may be required to commit a violent act to prove loyalty. |
| Code of Conduct | Emphasizes absolute obedience, silence (omertà), and willingness to use violence to protect the group. Betrayal or cooperation with authorities is met with severe punishment, often death. |
| Criminal Activities | Drug trafficking (primarily heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine), extortion, loan sharking, money laundering, arms trafficking, and contract killings. |
| Alliances & Rivalries | Maintains alliances with certain white prison gangs (e.g., the White Aryan Resistance). Engages in ongoing violent rivalry with non‑white and multi‑ethnic prison gangs. |
| Legal Status | Designated by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice as a criminal street gang; members are frequently prosecuted under RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statutes. |
Related Topics
- White supremacist movements in the United States
- Prison gangs and inmate subcultures
- Organized crime in the United States
- Racially motivated violence
- Federal racketeering statutes (RICO)
- Law‑enforcement task forces targeting prison gangs
All information presented is based on publicly available law‑enforcement reports, academic research on prison gangs, and reputable news sources.