What is the connection between or story behind the movies "Blood In, Blood Out" and "American Me"?

I have always liked these movies for years and Noticed the similarity which is obvious a long time ago but I always wondered which parts of which movie were more true than the other. I know it is based on real people like the Peg-leg guy and all that. Blood In Blood Out seems like more of a fabrication yet still seems to tell a similar story in a sense. Common themes are family, being "institutionalized", and the gain/loss of power. American Me has better acting/writing/directing, but I actually enjoy watching Blood In Blood Out more for some reason. Mi Vida Loca is a great movie too btw and is in the same East LA world.