NCJ Number
177498
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 1999 Pages: 53-76
Date Published
1999
Length
24 pages
Annotation
The National Gang Crime Research Center conducted a survey, referred to as Project GANGFACT (Gang Field Assessment of Crime Threat), to compare gang members and non-gang members in the United States.
Abstract
Survey findings showed gang members were more likely to respond they always or usually got what they wanted even if they had to steal from someone, were more likely to be bullies in school, were less likely to attend church regularly, and were less likely to avoid situations involving the risk of personal injury. Gang members were more likely to come from a mother-only household, to perceive themselves as part of the underclass, to sell crack cocaine, to report having fired a gun at a police officer, to be involved in organized drug dealing, to have close friends and associates who were gang members, to cause problems while in custody, to smuggle drugs into correctional facilities, and to have a parent who served time in prison. Gang members were less likely to have completed minimum educational credentials, to see the deterrent value of prosecuting juveniles as adults, to agree with the suppression value of prosecuting gangs as organized crime groups, to be religious, to see the value of a zero tolerance approach to preventing gang recruitment, and to report adequate parental supervision as children. Many gang members reported the existence of written rules and adult leaders in their gangs. Primary reasons for joining a gang included money and protection, but most gang members said they would quit gang life given the right circumstances of being given a second chance in life. About 82 percent of gang members said their gangs had sold crack cocaine, 35 percent effectively concealed gang involvement from their parents, 83 percent of gangs had female members, and 54 percent said they felt loved and protected by their gangs. 11 endnotes