It is an inter-disciplinary process and both criminal justice and public health stakeholders must continue to create common terminology, conduct research e.
Good research paves the way for successful crime prevention strategies and, ultimately, for safer communities. Data tells us what is working and what is not. For example, high recidivism rates across the board show us that the corrections system, which focuses on punishment over treatment , is not working. Among those most likely to fall into the cycle of recidivism are gang members.
How can we improve reentry strategies , reduce recidivism, and prevent overall gang violence? Prior research in the last two decades on subculture theory has provided an influential information tool to raise awareness regarding the need for gang violence prevention reform. Subculture theory holds that delinquency is largely the result of status-linked deprivation of opportunity. The response of juvenile delinquency programs has been to attempt to open channels of upward mobility for adolescents trapped in urban poverty, but more research needs to be done.
This is still no clear consensus on which strategies of prevention are most effective; evidence is limited and information is, at best, circumspect on best practices to follow. Thus, law enforcement and corrections leadership face difficulties implementing and sustaining gang violence prevention. To be successful, we must place a high priority on collaboration and coordinate resources among police, corrections, courts, and social service entities.
This will help identify effective prevention strategies and build a body of knowledge to guide future policies and programs. The first objective of gang violence prevention is to recognize it. Community leaders in various regions of the United States often employ misleading language to refer to gangs. Whatever the reason — be it political or to ensure tourism remains robust — it is a true disservice to the community when authorities do not recognize the presence of gangs.
Community leaders must also recognize that the reason street gangs exist is because of the continued marginalization of disenfranchised groups in society. In most cases, these gangs are undeniably linked to crime and preventing gang violence requires rectifying the social imbalance. The key to this is for criminologists, policymakers, and criminal justice practitioners to treat gang violence as both a criminal justice and public health issue, which requires consciously embracing a holistic approach.
Policymakers can contact my company, All Source International Security , to discuss strategies and connect with front line responders who interact with gangs for a greater common operating picture to make informed decisions. Making the case for improved reentry and epidemiological criminology. Justice-Health Collaboration:. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For example, being the child of a single-parent who is often absent from the home and lacks adequate support, can be considered a risk factor.
The negative influence of a friend Footnote 2 or sibling can be another. The Seattle study found that children and youth are two to four times more likely to join gangs if they are affected by these factors Footnote 3.
Youth at risk or already involved in gangs tend to be from groups that suffer from the greatest levels of inequality and social disadvantage Footnote 4. Gang involvement is a process that happens over time. This process is influenced by the life trajectory and individual, familial and social experiences of a young person. Several studies indicate that risk factors associated with gang involvement are present long before a youth joins a gang Footnote 5.
For example, youths who were the most behaviourally and socially maladjusted in childhood were found to be the most likely to join and stay in gangs for several years Footnote 6. Unless appropriate actions are taken to address the factors that result in more serious crime or gang involvement, early negative life experiences and subsequent involvement in crime will only reinforce the path towards continued delinquency.
Additionally, it appears that not only entry into gangs, but also prolonged membership is associated with a greater risk of delinquency Footnote 7. The identification of the specific risk factors associated with youth gang involvement helps us determine where and how to focus prevention efforts.
This gang effect adds to the social and family risk factors that may be present prior to joining a gang. Adverse Effects. Youth Involved in Gangs The numerous consequences stemming from gang involvement can have varying degrees of short and long-term negative outcomes. Youth who become involved in gangs face the increased risk of dropping out of school; teen parenthood; unemployment; victimization; drug and alcohol abuse; committing petty and violent crimes; and juvenile conviction and incarceration.
Collaboration Profiles Memphis Fast Forward. National Youth Gang Survey Analysis. Uniform Crime Reports. Highlights from the Summit on Preventing Youth Violence. Just Launched! Redesigned YE4C. September Summit on Preventing Youth Violence. Programs Gang Resistence and Education Program. Publications National Gang Threat Assessment. Changing Course: Preventing Gang Membership. Highlights of the National Youth Gang Survey.
Juvenile Justice Bulletin: Gang Prevention. Predictors of Youth Violence. The Impact of Gangs on Communities. Violence by Gang Members, Resources Gender-Specific Programming.
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