Despite attempts to rein them in, white supremacist gangs thrive behind the walls of the Utah State Prison — and beyond. Northern Utah, in particular, Utah law enforcement authorities say, has become a gathering area for supremacist gang members released from prison, with enclaves in the west Weber area and in Cache Valley.

And because of Monday's killing of a corrections officer by Curtis Allgier — a known white supremacist — authorities are watching for any ramifications among such gangs.

"We pay close attention to what happens in the prison," said Lt. Loring Draper with the Ogden Metro Gang Unit. "We'll talk to the white supremacists we've got in the area and see what they feel about it. We'll be on alert and we'll be paying close attention."

Inside the prison system, supremacist gangs remain a particular challenge, Utah Department of Corrections director Tom Patterson said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News.

"We consider them a threat," Patterson said. "We don't want to minimize it. We want to make sure we're not becoming complacent."

Rise in 'status'?

Allgier is accused of killing corrections officer Stephen Anderson during an escape Monday from University Orthopaedic Center. Allgier was apprehended after police said he carjacked an SUV and holed up in an Arby's restaurant, threatening to shoot more people.

In the Aryan gang culture, being known as a "cop killer" could make Allgier's status rise. He could even earn another tattoo, known as a "patch," for the slaying. Allgier is covered in tattoos espousing his beliefs, including swastikas and the words "Skin Head" and "Hatebreed" on his face.

However, Department of Corrections officials said Allgier had recently fallen out of favor with fellow white supremacists at the Utah State Prison for comments he had made during a TV interview. He was segregated from others in a maximum security unit.

And the slaying of Anderson could backfire, especially if law enforcement starts putting more pressure on white supremacist inmates.

Cardinal rule No. 1 is to avoid making the cops angry, said Ron Stallworth, a retired gang investigator for the Utah Department of Public Safety. "He's got the prison system in an uproar for what he did. That's not going to bode well with anybody in the prison culture, starting with the white supremacists."

Revolving door

Many inmates gravitate toward gangs based on race, for protection and socialization.