>> letters and visits are very, very, very important. it is the only connection to the outside world. >> the paradox of gang life inside pelican bay is that some of its most isolated prisoners are also its most powerful. many gang leaders, though exiled to the shu, still manage to exert control over their legions of followers. >> they would not survive as a gang if they were unable to communicate with one another. or be able to communicate their will to their soldiers. >> the prison gangs, even though they are isolated and all up here, they are a force to be reckoned with within the institution. they have tentacles to reach out and do damage to whoever they want to get. >> so, what they do is they find someone in the community. they will send a letter to that person in the community. that person will then rewrite the letter or place the original letter in another envelope and send it to the person intended.