NCJ Number
147324
Journal
Social Service Review Volume: 39 Dated: (1965) Pages: 183-190
Date Published
1965
Length
8 pages
Annotation
In the 1960's, almost every major urban center in the United States had some type of detached worker program for delinquent youth that often tended to polarize value differences between law enforcement and social agencies.
Abstract
Value differences were analyzed in terms of the following issues: (1) whether sponsored gangs create more trouble than unsponsored gangs; (2) whether gang supervision leads to increased gang status or to greater gang cohesion; (3) whether gang leaders are psychopathic; (4) whether truce meetings between rival gangs are helpful or harmful; and (5) whether gang workers increase antipolice feelings among gang members. Following a review of research studies and projects relevant to these issues and detached worker programs, the author shows that disagreement exists over the importance of collaboration between police officers and detached workers and over the provision of information about delinquent youth to police officers who may use that information against the youth. He concludes that law enforcement and social work administrators must cooperate in the handling of juvenile gangs.