Mario Sanchez on Being a Norteño Shot Caller in California's Most Notorious Prisons

Mario Sanchez, a former Norteño gang member, shared his journey from growing up in San Francisco's Richmond District to committing home invasion robberies in the early 90s. He was caught with a 47-count indictment and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, including time at San Quentin, Corcoran, and Pelican Bay. Mario described his involvement in gang politics, including fights and missions, and his eventual decision to leave the gang life. Post-release, he found success in finance but relapsed into substance abuse and eventually robbed a bank in 2014, leading to his return to prison. Mario Sanchez shared his journey from facing multiple felony convictions to rebuilding his life. He discussed the challenges of being cut off by his family and starting over in his 40s. Sanchez now runs a loan modification office, helping people keep their homes. He also criticized the current immigration policies and discussed the systemic issues in the prison system. Sanchez is set to release a book detailing his transformation and growth.