Gang Membership and Crime Victimization among Prison Inmates

Abstract

Prior research has only recently begun to examine the relationship between gang membership and crime victimization, and much remains unknown about the descriptive nature of the gang-victimization link, especially among incarcerated populations. The current study aimed to contribute to the emerging gang-victimization literature by examining: (1) characteristics of victimization for gang and non-gang members, (2) descriptors of gang membership comparing victimized to non-victimized gang members, and (3) characteristics of gang membership conduct comparing victimized to non-victimized gang members. A sample of both gang and non-gang member prison inmates in Texas were interviewed and answered a series of questions regarding involvement in crime and experiences with victimization. Results indicate that gang members were significantly more likely to be victimized compared to non-gang members and gang members were more likely to be alone and under the influence of substances when victimized. Characteristics of membership and gang member conduct by victimization status are also presented.