A gang is an organized group with a recognized leader whose activities are criminal or, at the very least, threatening to the community. (Walker, 2011) Throughout history there have been some infamous gangs that have attracted media attention and others that have flown under the radar. One of the most clandestine gang structures are prison gangs. La Nuestra Familia may not be in the news anymore than other gangs, but they are nothing to take lightly. Prison gangs have existed since the late 20th century and only seem to get stronger if nothing is done to prevent them. Prison gangs have members who are in and out of prison. One of the most popular gangs that has been gaining traction recently is the primarily Hispanic gang La Nuestra Familia. The purpose of this article is to describe the history of the NF, the structure in which it operates, and some good preventative tactics that could prevent prison gangs from becoming stronger. Nuestra Familia (NF, Spanish for our family) was created in the late 1960s at the Soledad Correctional Training Facility in California. (NF 2011) Nuestra Familia was created because some Spanish inmates grew tired of the abuse inflicted by the Mexican Mafia on their fellow Mexicans. (Nuestra Family (2011)) Nuestra Familia was created as protection from the Mexican Mafia for young Mexican-Americans from rural areas. The first members of Nuestra Familia came strictly from Northern or Central California. (NF 2011) The all-out prison war between the Mexican Mafia and the Nuestra Familia took place in 1968 when Sonny Pena was stabbed to death by a member of the Mexican Mafia at San Quentin State Prison. Recruiting for the two gangs split California in two. ...... half of the document ...... reventionservices.org/nf.aspNuestra familia . (2001, March 15). Retrieved from http://www.gangs187.com/lanuestrafamilia.htmlGeniella, M. Us ca: Inside Pelican Bay. (2009, February 5). Retrieved from http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n707/a04.htmlMorales, G. (2007). Our Family. Retrieved from http://www.gangpreventionservices.org/nf.aspNuestra Familia. (2005). Retrieved from http://prisonoffenders.com/nuestra_familia.htmlNuestra Familia. (2011). The History Channel website. Retrieved 2:17, December 4, 2011, from http://www.history.com/shows/gangland/articles/nuestra-familia.The History Channel. (Producer) (2008). Blood in, blood out [episode of a television series]. In Gangland. New York: History. Retrieved fromReynolds, J. (2008, July 1). Nuestra familia: Our family. Retrieved from http://www.nuestrafamiliaourfamily.com/pages/glossary.html