NCJ Number
147654
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Dated: (July 1969), 135-166
Date Published
1969
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This article presents a description and evaluation results for the Group Guidance Project, which used detached- work procedures with four large juvenile gang clusters in Los Angeles.
Abstract
The gangs contained approximately 800 juveniles over a 4-year period. Project emphases were individual counseling and group programming. Evaluation data showed that during the project, gang delinquency increased, especially among 12- to 15-year-olds, and in high-companionship offenses. Analyses of inter-cluster differences and specific project events showed positive relationships between levels of group programming, cohesiveness, and delinquency. The author concludes that group programming, particularly in the absence of activities that "wean away" gang members, leads to greater levels of gang delinquency. Detached workers inadvertently become sources or foci of gang cohesiveness, and their removal following achievement of this focal status will help reduce gang cohesiveness. The traditional practice of using group processes to transform group values and behavior is not suited to the juvenile gang phenomenon. Such practices should be either severely modified or abandoned. 4 tables and 30 footnotes