Black prison gangs have been observed using African languages such as Swahili and Nubian. Aside from language-based systems, interpreting written and oral gang codes typically requires the cooperation of a gang member. Pager codes typically involve the use of numeric sequences to communicate specific messages. Concealment Unlike codes and ciphers, concealment involves hiding the message itself as a form of secrecy. Concealment methods are commonly used by prison gangs to communicate both within and outside the prison walls.
Most concealment methods involve hiding a message within the body of a larger text.
For example, a concealed message could be recovered by reading every seventh word of an innocent looking letter. Or the message could be recovered by reading the third letter after each comma. Methods of concealment are limited only by the imagination of the writer. Some correctional officers have developed an expertise at identifying and reading concealed messages. Exploiting Gang Communications Like modern armies at war, the ability to penetrate and exploit the enemy's communications can prove decisive.