EPISODE · Mar 27, 2026 · 1H 30M
Former 1980's San Quentin C/O Tommy Arzate shares his SERT and Sec Squad legendary stories on Ash Wednesday
from The Gray Line, The Story Behind The Blue Line Podcast
Tommy Arzate is a legendary figure in the history of San Quentin State Prison, having served during the 1980s—an era widely considered the most violent in the institution's history. As a member of the Security Squad and one of the original Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) members (1982–1983), Arzate was on the front lines during a decade of unprecedented inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-staff violence. His accounts often focus on the "old school" San Quentin, where the dominance of prison gangs like the Black Guerrilla Family (BGF), the Aryan Brotherhood (AB), and the Mexican Mafia (EME) led to a near-constant state of tactical warfare.
What this episode covers
Tommy Arzate is a legendary figure in the history of San Quentin State Prison, having served during the 1980s—an era widely considered the most violent in the institution's history. As a member of the Security Squad and one of the original Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) members (1982–1983), Arzate was on the front lines during a decade of unprecedented inmate-on-inmate and inmate-on-staff violence. His accounts often focus on the "old school" San Quentin, where the dominance of prison gangs like the Black Guerrilla Family (BGF), the Aryan Brotherhood (AB), and the Mexican Mafia (EME) led to a near-constant state of tactical warfare.
NOW PLAYING
Former 1980's San Quentin C/O Tommy Arzate shares his SERT and Sec Squad legendary stories on Ash Wednesday
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.