I'm just saying regardless or the backing you have in prison, a good rep in prison will take you far. Despite popular perception, most prisoners DO have respect for each other if they prove worthy. However, that's only if you show no signs of weakness and don't mess around with other inmates. The second you start messing with with someone else, they are going to come at you because they have something to prove and they don't want to be seen as a punk. Then you are in a world of trouble. Especially an old guy like Gotti. Despite having no backing, his rep was as big as they come. So prisoners showed respect (I'm sure his ability to put out bounties also helped). Gotti started causing trouble and that respect meant nothing anymore. That black prisoner had to fight back. Gotti got what was coming to him.