Abstract The writer of this paper details relevant statistics and data regarding the growing problem of violence and gang related incidents in prisons, both in America and around the world. This paper cites federal reports which state that there was a 400% increase in prison gang disturbances during the 1990s. This paper examines the unique management issues facing prison guards and administrators in trying to control the violence. The writer explores several published articles with information and solutions to the gangviolence problem in prisons. This paper delves into the reason gangs exist in prison, which include current gang members who enter prisons who are quick to locate affiliate members from their own gang. Young people who enter prison for the first time learn quickly that the fastest way to get protection from the older, tougher inmates is to join a gang. The writer discusses the importance of systematically monitoring gangs in prison for purposes of seizing drugs and other illegal contraband. This paper also examines the lack of rules or restrictions in dealing with gangs in prison.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
The Statistics
Monitoring
Restrictions
Characteristics Common to all the Gangs Around the World Include
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "Gang activity through prison is most often tracked by a data base computer system. This insures that an inmate who is known to belong to a particular gang is in the computer data base and can be tracked if he re-offends and goes to another prison or comes back to the same one.
"Also, three systems use regularly scheduled reports, incident reports and intake interviews to track gangs, and in Connecticut, Nebraska and Tennessee, gang coordinators are present in the facilities. Utah uses a graduated point system to document gang activity before the information is officially validated and logged, and Delaware refers all cases of gang-related activity to its internal affairs section."
Abstract This is a paper about gangviolence, focusing on drug-related violence committed by gangs. It attempts to analyze the major causes behind such violence and whether the trend of gangviolence is on the increase. The communities and demographic population in which such violence is most likely to occur is also discussed in addition to looking at certain possible ways of preventing or lessening gangviolence.
From the Paper "The disturbing phenomenon of gang violence in the inner American cities has been a major concern of parents, communities, and the law-enforcing agencies for many years. Of late, several studies indicate that the nature of gang violence has changed, with lethal violence being more likely related to the drug trade than to gang rivalries. One such study shows that drug related violence represents between a third and half of all gang violence."
Abstract This paper discusses how a gang can be characterized as a collective of juveniles and young adults who associate with one another for serious, often violent, criminal behavior with special concerns for controlling either a physical territory (turf) or a criminal enterprise or both. It examines the general nature and the scope of the problem of gangviolence in order to evaluate the general effectiveness of methods taken by schools in their fight against it.
Outline
Description and Scope of the Problem
Importance of Investigating School Efforts to Reduce GangViolence Problem
Review of the Literature
Methods and Effectiveness of School Efforts to Combat GangViolence Effectiveness of School Programs Emphasizing Security Measures
Individual Programs for Gang Members
Prevention Programs
Integrated Programs
Programs to Change School Environment or Climate
Summary
Conclusions
From the Paper "Ascher (1994) conducted an extensive review of the literature on the effectiveness of programs that attempt to curb gang violence on campus using strategies such as hiring and training extra security guards, putting metal detectors at the doors, and so forth. The author states that in most studies evaluative data suggest that these programs can be at least moderately effective in preventing violence on campus. However, evaluative research is also said to show that most students and teachers have concerns and discomfort in schools that are basically armed fortresses."
Abstract This paper focuses on drug-related violence committed by gangs. It attempts to analyze the major causes behind such violence and whether the trend the trend of gangviolence is on the increase. The communities and demographic population in which such violence is most likely to occur are also discussed besides looking at certain possible ways of preventing or lessening gangviolence.
From the Paper "The disturbing phenomenon of gang violence in the inner American cities has been a major concern of parents, communities, and the law-enforcing agencies for many years. Of late, several studies indicate that the nature of gang violence has changed, with lethal violence being more likely related to the drug trade than to gang rivalries. One such study shows that drug related violence represents between a third and half of all gang violence. The reasons behind such a trend are multifarious and linked to the nature of youth gang culture. It is essential to take a brief look at these reasons before we can analyze and discuss some of the ways by which drug-related gang violence can be controlled."
Abstract The paper looks at the literature regarding gangviolence and other forms of organized crime in British Columbia. The paper discusses how the rise in the reported incidence of crimes coincides with the increase and variation in immigration. The paper also examines the steps Canada has taken to address this issue and concludes that gangviolence is a concern that has repercussions to the overall health of the Indo-Canadian community, the Lower Mainland and British Columbia as well as the rest of Canada. The paper recommends that programs be developed to truly address the pertinent issues that gangviolence has brought to the Indo-Canadian community. The paper includes figures and graphs.
Outline:
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Discussion
Recommendations
Community Actions and Programs
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to recent studies in the British Columbia area, crime incidence is growing most among aboriginal and immigrant population of the region (Besla et al, 2005). One of the key reasons attributed to this trend are pressures of urbanization and integration. Their investigations revealed that many of the incidences of crime involved illegal drugs, organized crime, juveniles and minorities. Experts believe that among the mentioned crime trends, one of the things that should be focused on is the development of organized crime groups because they have the potential of proliferating crime more than anything else."
This paper explores the complexities of gangviolence in urban environments and suggests implementing a strategy that will be void of racial discrimination.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 3 sources, 2005, $ 26.95
Abstract The paper is of the opinion that law enforcement agencies should take a far less racially and ethnically charged forum in processing policy problems of gangviolence in urban centers. The paper explains that by focusing more on class-based initiatives (which includes members of all races and ethnicities), there can be a far less violent application of arrests. The paper elaborates that this will allow rehabilitation through the modern deterrence theory to rehabilitate and reintegrate members as law-abiding citizens.
From the Paper "The aim of this paper will be to realize the complexities of gang violence in urban environments and implement a strategy that will be void of racial discrimination. By understanding the high rates of drug arrests related to gang violence, law enforcement policy should offer a distinct non-racial approach, which will be class based, rather than based on ethnic evaluations of gang related activity. In this manner, the criminal theory of modern deterrence theory should help to educate and apply non-violent measures to counteract gang violence in America today."
This paper examines the increase in gangs and gang related violence in America, as well as the available programs and strategies to combat this growing problem.
Abstract The writer of this informative paper details the growing number of gangs and membership to gangs which have become a public security threat that communities are now recognizing that must be addressed. This paper supplies relevant statistics and data relating to gangs and various acts of gangviolence. Approximately half of all youth gang members are 18 years or older and thus more likely to become involved in serious and violent crimes than younger gang members. This paper discusses the spread of gangs across America. While gangs have been a problem in L.A. for years, and account for roughly 50% of the city's murders, gangs are now responsible for 41% of the homicides in Omaha, Nebraska. This paper details the various preventative measures and programs available to curtail this growing problem. The writer contends and explains why preventing adolescents from joining gangs seems to be the most cost-effective long-term strategy. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has implemented a school-based gang prevention program that has shown positive preliminary results. The writer of this paper stresses the need for communities to organize a collaborative approach to gang problems from the outset rather than beginning with a predominantly suppression strategy.
From the Paper "Since 1980, the United States has witnessed a rapid proliferation of youth gangs. According to a 1998 Juvenile Justice Bulletin, there were roughly 286 gang jurisdictions with some 2,000 gangs and approximately 100,000 gang members in 1980. By 1996, there were some 4,800 jurisdictions with more than 31,000 gangs and an estimated 846,000 gang members. In an eleven-city survey of eighth graders, researchers found than nine percent were currently gang members, while seventeen percent stated they had belonged to a gang at some point in their lives. Other studies show similar percentages and also indicated that gang members were responsible for a large proportion of violent offenses."
Abstract This paper begins by defining and explaining the problem of violence in high schools - ranging from petty bullying to gun battles leaving students dead. Some causes of the increase in violence are discussed such as violent TV shows, social pressure and the easy availability of guns. Social consequences of high school and gangviolence is addressed and some solution are suggested. These suggestions include student tasks forces, workshops and a zero-tolerance attitude towards violent incidences by the school authorities.
From the Paper "The more publicly visible and horrifying acts of violence in American high schools, and junior high schools, this past year have just been the tip of the iceberg. Violence in American schools has increased dramatically - often associated with youth gang activity. In looking at some recent figures for the school year 1996-1997, there were 4,000 cases of rape and sexual assault reported. There were also over 11,000 cases of physical assault reported, including assaults with weapons. This seems to be correlated, to some extent, with an increase in youth gang violence which has more than doubled during the past two decades (Owens, 1999)."
Abstract This paper explores the social problem of youth gangs in the United States. It looks at some of the historical roots of the problem, the increase in gang activity society is experiencing, and how the media tends to sensationalize and exaggerate the extent of the problem.
From the Paper "During the last decade, crime coverage by the media has increased dramatically, especially juvenile gang crime. The Center for Media and Public Affairs revealed in its study that from 1993 to1996 the U.S. homicide rate fell 20 percent, yet the "media coverage of murders increased an incredible 721 percent" (Perrone, Chesney-Lind 1997). Therefore, it is not surprising that between June 1993 and January 1994, ?the number of Americans naming crime as the nation's "most important problem" increased six-fold"at a time when official crime statistics and victimization surveys showed little change" (Perrone, Chesney-Lind 1997). Critics charge the media with over-reporting and exaggeration of crime-related events and "producing outputs of crime-related articles that bear little resemblance to official crime trends" (Perrone, Chesney-Lind 1997). For example, official crime statistic stories will downplay, ignore, or focus on certain statistics, thus creating a misrepresentation of the actual figures (Perrone, Chesney-Lind 1997). Critics claim this misrepresentation amounts to public manipulation."
Abstract This paper examines how the causes of school violence extend beyond gangs and gang membership, but how gangs are a significant contributing factor. It analyzes how gang members participate in violent acts at school and how the presence of gangs increases both the availability of weapons and the perceived need to seek the protection of a gang. It looks at the typically three different approaches that are used to manage the risk of school violence-- precaution, intervention and enforcement. Precaution includes taking steps to minimize the opportunity for violence such as metal detectors, intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities and enforcement are those actions taken once an act of violence has occurred.
From the Paper "Intervention typically focuses on providing alternative activities for at-risk youths, such as after-school programs and extra-curricular activities, and on crisis intervention for students who participate in violent (or pre-violent) acts. Effective intervention requires that school personnel and law enforcement work together to ensure that incidents are reported accurately and that opportunities for early intervention are not missed. However, some school officials note that while law enforcement has been generally helpful in areas such as how to conduct a search legally, there remains a lack of knowledge among school personnel about how to conduct such a search effectively (Zolkos, 1996, p. 3)."
Abstract This paper discusses gangviolence as a multi-generational problem in many communities. Many gangs are decades old, and solutions to the gangviolence problem have been sought after for equally as long. The paper explores the structure and roots of gangviolence, future trends, and proven solutions to the problem. It concludes that early intervention, as well as providing safe havens for youth at risk in troubled neighborhoods, are valuable tools to help stem the tide of gangviolence.
From the Paper "Gangs undertake a variety of criminal pursuits, and the level of violence that is perpetrated by the gang is directly related to the particular crimes that are committed. The drug trade is the primary involvement of the gangs. Gangs are also involved in intimidation, robbery, and other acts of violence as well. There is an increasing trend among gangs becoming involved in less traditional crimes, and becoming involved in identity theft and credit card fraud. (2005 National Gang Threat Assessment p. 4) The gangs are also becoming involved more and more with organized crime. The organized crime syndicates include the Mexican and South American drug cartels, Russian Organized crime, Asian Crime families, the more recognizable La Cosa Nostra (Mafia) and assorted other group throughout the world. (id p. 6) Gangs are also availing themselves to technology. The technology of choice by the gang members is the push-to-talk cell phone. This is of particular use in coordinating efforts of the individual members regardless of the criminal undertaking. The gangs also make use of the internet, postings on websites to communicate with members and notify them of event dates, as well as boasting of recent illicit activities. (id p.4)"
Abstract This paper examines through an extensive literature review how the problem of violence in the schools continues to increase and while the incidents of extreme violence, are the most visible, there is an ongoing current of public school violence that includes rape, sexual assault, physical assault and attacks with various weapons, including guns. It evaluates how much of this violence is associated with gang activity, although not all of it and how associations with youth gangs create a climate that is not supportive of an academic environment, even without the violence and drugs that they bring.
Outline
Introduction
Background to Topic
Organization of Review
Historical Overview
Characteristics and Traits
Prevention
Rationale for Study
Summary and Conclusions
From the Paper "Gordon (1998a) reported that the youth gangs in the Puyallup area also differed significantly from the stereotypical urban youth gangs of the 1980s and 1990s. The urban gangs, typified by the Crips and Bloods, were more likely to deal in drugs, claim turf, and engage in drive-by shootings. The gangs in Puyallup, which were limited primarily to two rival gangs, seem to be more like earlier gangs in their activities. They tend to support more one-on-one fights, rather than gang banging. They tend to be multi-racial and multi-ethnic, rather than belonging to only one race of ethnic group. They also tend not to use weapons in their warfare, although clearly knives are an occasional resource. Finally, the gangs do not actually claim, and fight over, specific neighborhood turf."
Abstract The paper describes the gang problem as a serious one, in which the dynamics create a cycle of feeling alone, finding a "family" in the gang membership, committing acts of violence for the gang and becoming incarcerated. The paper discusses how the legislative action that is aimed at enhancing punishment packages will provide leverage for those who prosecute gang members. It will also act as incentives for those who have not yet been caught to change their lives before getting into legal trouble. The paper relates how statistics have shown that since the introduction of such packages, the gang problem has begun to taper off or stabilize which indicates they are, in fact, effective.
From the Paper "The gang issue in America is not a new one. Gangs have been around for many years but in the past couple of years the violence and gang related crime has escalated significantly. Police departments across the nation have developed gang units in which the specific purpose is to target and curtail the area's gang criminal activity. There are many different gangs, with many different names however, they all have certain commonalities in that they are driven by criminal activity, they have involvement with the drug industry and they recruit members to keep their numbers strong."
Abstract The paper discusses the gang problem where the dynamics create a cycle of feeling alone, finding a "family" in the gang membership, committing acts of violence for the gang and becoming incarcerated. The paper discusses how the legislative action that is aimed at enhancing punishment packages will provide leverage for those who prosecute gang members, as well as incentives, for those who have not yet been caught, to change their lives. The paper reveals that statistics show that since the introduction of such packages, the gang problem has begun to taper off or stabilize.
From the Paper "The gang issue in America is not a new one. Gangs have been around for many years but in the past couple of years the violence and gang related crime has escalated significantly. Police departments across the nation have developed gang units in which the specific purpose is to target and curtail the area's gang criminal activity. There are many different gangs, with many different names however, they all have certain commonalities in that they are driven by criminal activity, they have involvement with the drug industry and they recruit members to keep their numbers strong."
Abstract In this essay, the writer examines several aspects of the study titled 'Collective and Normative Features of GangViolence' by S. Decker. The introduction is analyzed as well as the hypotheses and the literature review. The writer also looks at the research design, the reliability and validity of the instruments used and the ability of another person to replicate the study using the information therein. Further, the writer discusses the use and the appropriateness of statistical tests and the implications and practical significance of the findings. The writer concludes that this study might be useful to researchers comparing gangviolence in the early 1990s with gangviolence today.
From the Paper "The findings are not discussed in terms of their implications and practical significance. Qualitative research reports such as this one, are more often descriptive, rather than explanatory. The study contains many pages of direct quotations from interviews with gang members. Such research reports tend to read like a novel and give a sense of reality and validity to the report. Qualitative researchers identify more with the humanities than with the natural science. The scope of this type of study is very specific to the small group being studied. The conclusions are supported by and logically followed by the data that has been presented. The reader can not be sure whether the author over-generalized. The researcher promised confidentiality to all active gang members who agreed to be interviewed. The gang members self reporting of having engaged in violent crime could not be verified with police records. There was actual or potential bias detected. The majority of the sample was African American and male. There was a blatant omission of female gang members. The researcher seemed to concentrate on African American gang members whereas there are a significant number of gang members that belong to other nationalities."
