How the Nuestra Familia prison gang actually works, according to a former member

John "Boxer" Mendoza is a former high-ranking member of the Nuestra Familia. He was part of the organization from 1994 to 2007 and was incarcerated at various California prisons, such as San Quentin, Pelican Bay, and Corcoran.

He was a member of the Nuestra Raza before rising to the rank of commander in the Nuestra Familia. Mendoza speaks with Insider about rivalry with the Mexican Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood, corrupt prison guards, attacks and uprisings, weapons, and yard fights. He also talks about life inside the gang, from rules to prison tattoos and methods of communication.

Nowadays he has a YouTube channel called Paradigm Media News, where he does interviews with other former gang members and talks about life since leaving prison. He is the author of "Nuestra Familia."

Find out more on John's YouTube channel:
https://youtube.com/@PARADIGMMEDIANEWS

And on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/john36556946?s=21&t=7p5CC5OsgeY7DlX-cWbJrg

And TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@sfranb