Whe text exposes the general conditions and some of the findings of three investigations with violent gangs in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara conducted between 2013 and 2016, in order to contextualize the identity representations of the gang body by young people belonging to these corner groups. From a collaborative dialogue, carried out through group interviews and jointly constructing the central ideas presented here, issues related to masculinity, emblems of power, physical appearance and gang loyalty are highlighted, as well as those agreements we reached in the joint construction of their conceptions of the body and its use from the gang. It is considered that, although this represents constant danger and aggression, their bodies must always clearly enunciate belonging to a group and cultural adscription, strength for direct physical confrontations, the potential to protect their own, and the demonstration that they are men above all else.

This text is part of an investigation carried out at the Santa Marta Social Reintegration Center in Mexico City, the main objective of which was to learn about the practice of the cult of “Santa Muerte” in that prison institution. Various themes emerged from this proposal, and one of them was the use of the body and its relationship with religious practices in a context where control is omnipresent. It will first examine what this prison control consists of and then the importance of the body as a form of resistance to said prison power will be considered.