Prison gangs in South Africa have several unique characteristics: they represent a nationwide organization; they have a structure, ranking, and disciplinary structure that has deep historical roots; and they operate under a hierarchically ordered, quasi-military structure. Membership in these gangs is nonethnic and nonracial. The gangs primarily distinguish themselves according to their own specified goals. Theoretically, each gang is subjected to an overarching code detailing the complex arrangements for intergang cooperation, communication, and declaration of hostilities. This analysis focuses on gang-related prison murders, the approach of the courts to prison gangs, and the formation of gangs in South African prisons as well as the relationship between gangs and prison violence. 36 notes and 3 appendixes