NCJ Number
157040
Date Published
1989
Length
74 pages
Annotation
Former gang members discuss their experiences.
Abstract
This transcript of proceedings held on May 27, 1989 contains insights provided by former gang leaders or influential gang members concerning their gang membership and their thoughts as to what to do about the problem of gangs. These proceedings were part of the National Youth Gang Suppression and Intervention Project (NYGSIP). Participants included six male former gang members, ranging in age from 26 years to 45 years, a University of Chicago professor, and the NYGSIP Project Director. The former gang members were chosen because they had successfully left their gangs and gone on to legitimate jobs or careers. Issues discussed included community involvement to prevent gang formation, gang membership as a means of creating a sense of belonging and of neighborhood, social bases for gang formation that evolve into criminal activities for financial gain, peer pressure to join gangs, parental relationships, and the influence of religion, schools, and the police on gang membership.