NCJ Number
245993
Journal
Journal of Gang Research Volume: 21 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 2014 Pages: 1-16
Date Published
2014
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The current study investigated the role of religion in the lives of 185 self-reported female gang members in a female correctional facility in North Carolina.
Abstract
Knowledge about gang membership and activities substantially burgeoned in the last two decades. However, little attention has been focused on female gangs compared to male gang membership. Furthermore, literature is sparse on the role that religion and living in a religious environment plays in the decisionmaking and gang membership proclivity of incarcerated females. This study seeks to close this gap in extant literature. To this end, the current study investigated the role of religion in the lives of 185 self-reported female gang members in a female correctional facility in North Carolina. Chi-Square analysis shows that a statistically significant relationship was observed between gang membership and belief in God/Supreme Being/Higher Power; however, regression analysis indicated that religiosity was an insignificant predictor of gang membership. Implications for professional service intervention, as well as study limitations, are delineated. (Published Abstract)