NCJ Number
159916
Editor(s)
J M Miller,
J P Rush
Date Published
1996
Length
192 pages
Annotation
These 10 papers discuss gangs, especially juvenile gangs, with respect to their formation, their persistent elements, the changing nature of gang activities, the responses of the criminal justice system and community agencies, and policy implications.
Abstract
Individual papers examine the theories underlying the intervention strategies used by the personnel of various community and law enforcement agencies, gang member and participant observer accounts of day-to-day activities of gangs, the role of family variables in gang involvement, and issues related to gangs in schools. Additional papers develop the theme of gang migration to account for the spread and persistence of gangs nationally, the organizational structures of youth gangs that traffic in illegal drugs, the formation and persistence of gangs in jails and prisons, and practical actions that can be implemented by law enforcement and community agencies to counter problems generated and perpetuated by gangs. The final paper presents a policy analysis of gang violence and suggests positive actions that can be taken by innovative agencies. Tables, figures, notes, index, and over 300 references