Neta Association: Profile
(Asociacion Neta)

History
Asociacion Neta, or Neta Association, was created by Carlos Torres-Irriarte, also known as “La Sombra” (The Shadow). Carlos Torres-Irriarte was a revolutionary involved in the liberation of Puerto Rico. At the age 28 he was incarcerated within the El Oso Blanco Prison in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. In 1979, Carlos Torres-Irriarte formed an association called Asociacion Neta. He vocally advocated against the injustices experienced by fellow inmates at the hands of prison officials and other prison gangs. One such prison gang was known as Grupo (Group) 27. The leader of Grupo 27 was a violent inmate called “El Manoto.” As Carlos Torres-Irriarte grew in popularity and many inmates began joining Asociacion Neta, the leader of Group 27 became enraged and ordered his murder. On March 30, 1981, Carlos Torres-Irriarte was beaten, stabbed and shot by members of Group 27. The Asociacion Neta continued to develop and grow into Puerto Rico’s largest prison gang. On September 31st, 1981, members of Asociacion Neta forced their way into El Manito’s cell and killed him.

Development
During the late 1980’s, members of Asociacion Neta or “Netas” migrated to the United States. Most of these Netas settled in the Tri-State New York area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut). They brought with them the rhetoric of their gang. These Netas taught young Puerto Rican inner city youth about the injustice of the system in the prisons of Puerto Rico, the United States and the cities in which they lived. One of the first major leaders of the Asociacion Neta was a woman who was called “La Madrina” (The Godmother). She was a middle-aged woman and thus gave the Netas a gentler image. She formed several chapters in Brooklyn, The Bronx and New York City. She portrayed Asociacion Neta as an inmates’ rights group (Pro derecho del confinado). By 1992, several street chapters were formed throughout New York City. Within a short period of time, Neta members were being arrested for drug dealing, shootings, robberies and assaults. By 1993, the Netas had joined the Latin Kings as a dominant force in the prison systems in the New York area. By 1994, the New Jersey Department of Corrections identified several members of the Netas within their prison system and began monitoring their criminal activities within the system.

In 1995, Netas commenced a massive image polishing campaign by becoming involved in community projects and youth outreach programs. Such programs became a recruitment ground for the Netas whose main business remained drug dealing. By 1996, Netas were found throughout the East Coast in inner city neighborhoods and prison systems. By 2000, several successful investigations were conducted against the Netas and their presence in the streets of the East Coast greatly diminished while their presence in the local, state and federal prisons increased. Within the Netas, males and females have equal roles. This is maintained to present a softer image. The Netas’ membership is culturally diverse but the majority of their members are of Puerto Rican descent.

Activities