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NM prison gang membership seek protection
By therepublic.com - RUSSELL CONTRERAS Associated Press
Published: 05/18/2012

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico's prisons have seen a rise in white supremacist gang membership as some inmates seek protection against largely Hispanic gangs, according to state officials.

State numbers show that membership in white supremacist gangs has doubled in prisons during the past 10 years, and state officials worry the numbers may keep climbing.

"Membership is increasing in white supremacist gangs affiliated with those in Texas and Arizona," said Dwayne Santistevan, administrator of New Mexico's Security Threat Intelligence Unit. "We think they're banding together for protection against Hispanic gangs."

The state estimates there are about 160 inmates connected to white supremacist gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood and Nazi Low Riders. Ten years ago, New Mexico prisons had only around 60 to 70 members connected to such gangs, Santistevan said.

"The gangs are getting their membership from inmates from Farmington, Carlsbad, Ruidoso and Alamogordo," he said. "It's kind of puzzling."

Santistevan said at least two Hispanic inmates had been identified as belonging to a white supremacist gang.

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