NCJ Number
146491
Date Published
1993
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This document reports the findings and recommendations of a California workshop that focused on developing an effective system of identifying, classifying, and tracking gang-oriented youth in the juvenile justice system, as well as to determine the degree of commitment of a youth to the gang ideology.
Abstract
Participants included representatives of organizations concerned with law enforcement, juvenile detention, and juvenile corrections. They recommended that each juvenile detention facility should use a gang member profile to identify gang leaders, enforcers, members, victims, and informers. The profile should indicate whether the detainee is active, an associate, or inactive. Criteria for gang involvement should include self-admission, tattoos, gang- related activities, prior record of gang-related activities, victim/enemy, identifiable gang paraphernalia such as photographs, peer associates and co-offenders, family background, and prior law enforcement contact. In addition, State and local jurisdictions should provide training, technical assistance, support, and information exchange. Appended workshop agenda, list of participants, and gang information form