Former San Quentin correctional officer Darren Monahan shared a harrowing incident where a Northern Mexican inmate was mistakenly placed in a yard dominated by the rival Sureños (Southern Mexican) gang. Despite protocols segregating inmates by gang affiliations to prevent violence, a new officer accidentally let the Norteño inmate out on the Southern Mexican yard. Within moments, about a dozen inmates attacked him, nearly stabbing him before guards intervened. The mistake led to official reprimands for Monahan, his colleague, and the new officer. Monahan highlighted how racial and gang tensions fueled frequent conflicts, with segregation vital to maintaining order. He also noted San Quentin’s violent reputation in the late 1980s and early 1990s, recalling past deadly incidents and the subsequent introduction of stab-proof vests for officers. The prison’s dangerous environment demanded strict vigilance to avoid life-threatening errors like this near-fatal mix-up
