Word: petrilli
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Afterward, while the cons were on deadlock, Warden John Petrilli began meeting with the gang leaders. "At first everyone came and just glared at each other," said Rudy Moore, chief of the Black P. Stones. The initial meetings were heated and dominated by loud talk and badmouthing. But, said Rudy, "it finally dawned on us that this wasn't too hep." Gradually agreements were reached: recruiting was prohibited; there would be no interference with a guard disciplining an inmate; an organization leader was to be held accountable for the actions of members; disputes were to be negotiated...
...leaders were not eager to relinquish all organizational individuality, and Petrilli was reluctant to press too hard. Members continue to give gang salutes. "The guys still identify as members," admitted Rudy, "but it's more like belonging to a political party...
Despite all the talk about detente, things are not settled at Pontiac. No one has yet been charged in the knifings during the mess-hall scrape, and between 25 and 30 cons believed to have been most involved are still isolated in a special cell unit. Petrilli has long been criticized by guards and others for working with the gangs instead of trying to break them up. But, he argues, "the gangs didn't form here. The men have their own leadership−they came in with it." He is still committed to the delicate task of trying...