The powerful prison gangs of Melbourne

They’re feared and ferocious. From the Prisoners of War to the pair responsible for Tony Mokbel’s stabbing, these are the most notorious and feared gangs in our state’s prisons.

They’re feared and ferocious.

From the Prisoners of War to the pair responsible for Tony Mokbel’s stabbing, these are the most notorious and feared gangs in our state’s prisons.

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POW

The Prisoners of War — under the leadership on Matthew Charles Johnson — remain a powerful force behind bars.

Their reputation for extreme violence and ability to organise attacks beyond prison walls makes them a feared proposition.

Matthew Charles Johnson heads up the Prisoners of War gang.

He’s known as ‘The Victorian General’.

The POW are suspected of being involved in standover work and the drug trade.

They are believed to have engaged in outside witness intimidation, including drive-by shootings.

Johnson beat drug boss Carl Williams to death inside the Acacia unit of Barwon Prison, in Anakie near Geelong, in 2010.

Known as The General, Johnson is under a tight regime but his word is still obeyed.

BIKIES (OMCG)

Christopher Wayne Hudson.

They remain near the top of the prison gang hierarchy.

The Comancheros and Bandidos are regarded as being among the more influential outfits.

As well as their own criminal enterprises, their interests are often intertwined with those of the Islander and Middle-Eastern factions.

Hells Angel Christopher Wayne Hudson is said to be a major player inside.

There has been concern from authorities about Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMCG) recruitment activities within the prison system and they are constantly monitored.

MAORI/ISLANDERS:

Drug trafficker Tony Mokbel was rushed to hospital after being stabbed yesterday.

They have been a formidable presence behind bars for years.

Many assaults have been linked to this group and they are, at times, engaged to enforce the will of others.

The power of some of the Maoris and Islanders is consolidated by strong links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Some have joined bikie outfits after being released.

The two men who attacked Tony Mokbel are believed to have been Pacific Islanders.

AFRICAN

Tensions are high inside the Melbourne Metropolitan Remand Centre in Ravenhall. Picture: Ian Currie

Prisoners of African background have emerged as a factor in the jail gangs landscape.

They have been involved in a number of nasty incidents and have indicated they are not afraid to take on more established groups.

This was shown in a brutal fight with OMCG figures at the Metropolitan Remand Centre, in Ravenhall, last year.

They are also said to have been responsible for a nasty assault of another OMCG member at Port Phillip Prison in Truganina.

Last year the Herald Sun revealed feared prison gang POW had taken youths from an emerging African street gang under its wing.

Prison intelligence officers held security briefings for managers at Barwon and Port Phillip jails over the links between the ultra-violent Prisoners of War and Menace to Society.

MIDDLE EASTERN ORGANISED CRIME

Behind the walls of Port Phillip Prison. Picture: David Caird

Middle Eastern organised crime families and groups have a big say behind bars.

They are key players in controlling drug trafficking and frequently intimidate more vulnerable inmates to involve them in the trade.

Lebanese gangs have been known to force inmates to deposit money directly into bank accounts and threaten violence against loved ones if prisoners don’t pay up.

In December, 2016, the Herald Sun revealed a feared jailhouse boss was running drugs and ordering brutal bashings inside Port Phillip Prison.

The ruthless outfits are suspected of being influential in the drug trade at Port Phillip.

Other Middle-Eastern gang members and bikies continue to control crime empires outside the privately run jail and inflicting extreme violence on their enemies.

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