Crime Victimization among Gang and Nongang Prison Inmates: Examining Perceptions of Social Disorganization

Abstract

The current study examines whether the relationship between gang membership and crime victimization exists among a sample of prison inmates, and if perceptions of social disorganization influences this relationship. More specifically, we examine whether (1) gang members are more likely to be victimized compared to nongang members, (2) perceptions of social disorganization are associated with victimization, and (3) accounting for inmates' offending mediates the relationship between social disorganization and victimization. A sample of gang and nongang members incarcerated in prison were interviewed about their involvement in crime, experiences with victimization, and perceptions of neighborhood disorganization. Results indicate that gang members are significantly more likely to be victimized compared to nongang members and perceptions of social disorganization explain the likelihood of victimization among gang members only. Crime perpetration mediates the relationship between perceptions of social disorganization and victimization among gang members.