Unfortunately, there's a never-ending group of young people who want to be in a gang. And in prison, gang members have nothing but time and nothing to lose. Many of them are serving life terms. They don't have to worry about being stabbed or challenged by other inmates because of their secure environment. Yet they can send an order out, and because their structure is so sophisticated they know that if somebody doesn't carry out their orders, someone else will take care of that person.
Inmates write in urine on the back of innocent-looking drawings.
The dried urine remains invisible until held next to a heat source. The recipient rubs pencil lead lightly over the markings to read the message. Investigators also uncovered elaborate codes, including one based on an ancient Aztec language dialect. Anyone who refused to obey the group's rules or directives, or sought to withdraw from the Nuestra Familia, were ordered killed, prosecutors say. The request follows criticism by Santa Rosa and Sonoma County law enforcement officials that top state officials ignored pleas for financial help over the past several years.