Gang Research Articles

Scaffolding Bad Moral Agents

AbstractRecent work on ecological accounts of moral responsibility and agency have argued for the importance of social environments for moral reasons responsiveness. Moral audiences can scaffold individual agents’ sensitivity to moral reasons and their motivation to act on them, but they can also undermine it. In this paper, we look at two case studies of ‘scaffolding bad’, where moral agency is undermined by social environments: street gangs and online incel communities. In discussing these case studies, we draw both on recent situated cognition literature and on scaffolded responsibility theory. We show that the way individuals are embedded into a specific social environment changes the moral considerations they are sensitive to in systematic ways because of the way these environments scaffold affective and cognitive processes, specifically those that concern the perception and treatment of ingroups and outgroups. We argue that gangs undermine reasons responsiveness to a greater extent than incel communities because gang members are more thoroughly immersed in the gang environment.

Without Risk Reduction: How Black Men’s Well-being and Humanity Are Compromised in Mobile Public Spaces

Much of the urban research on the daily experiences of Black men in American society has focused on Black men as perpetrators, as victims of street and gang violence, or with some carceral connection. These earlier studies highlight how racist tropes of Black men as dangerous and thus to be feared situate Black men for continuous, targeted, and aggressive actions by the state and other social actors. This places a social tax on Black men who are then bound to exercises of embodied negotiations in public social spaces where they navigate both being shunned and “disappeared” while also hyper-visible. Drawing on ethnographic data collected across several years, this article examines how Black men are targeted for aggression in mobile public spaces in Chicago, Illinois. We use public transportation as a space of interrogation because of the uniqueness of mobile places where riders and transit personnel are temporarily confined while mobile and with limited options to escape the dangers of racism and racial aggression. In these spaces, we find that (1) Black men are threatened with harm, (2) their bodies are treated as sites of fear, and (3) their well-being is risked through an institutional breach of duty to provide safety for them as passengers and transit personnel.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gang Membership in a Brazilian Birth Cohort

There is no longitudinal evidence on risk factors for gang membership in low- and middle-income countries, despite organized crime groups posing major challenges, including high homicide rates in Latin America. Furthermore, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been largely overlooked in gang-related research worldwide. To examine the associations of ACEs up to 15 years of age with past-year gang membership at 18 years of age and to compare crime and criminal justice involvement between gang members and non-gang members. This cohort study assessed children from the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort-an ongoing population-based, prospective study. Assessments were undertaken perinatally (1993) and when the children were ages 11 (2004), 15 (2008), 18 (2011), and 22 (2015) years. All children born in 1993 were eligible (N = 5265), and 5249 (99.7%) were enrolled at birth. The study sample (N = 3794 [72.1%]) included those with complete data on ACEs. Data analyses were conducted from February to August 2024. Twelve ACEs were assessed up to 15 years of age via child self-report and/or maternal report, including physical neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, maternal mental illness, parental divorce, ever being separated from parents, parental death, poverty, discrimination, and neighborhood fear. These experiences were examined using a single adversity approach, cumulative risk, and latent classes. The main outcome was past-year gang membership at 18 years of age, assessed via self-report and analyzed using multivariate imputation. Of 3794 participants, 1964 (51.8%) were female and 1830 (48.2%) were male, and 703 (18.5%) were Black, 2922 (77.0%) were White, and 169 (4.5%) were coded as "other" race or ethnicity (no additional details are available to further disaggregate the other category). On the basis of the imputed data, 1.6% (SE, 0.2 percentage points) of participants reported gang membership at 18 years of age. Physical abuse (odds ratio [OR], 2.76; 95% CI, 1.27-5.98), emotional abuse (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.51-5.02), domestic violence (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.77-6.48), parental divorce (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.17-3.54), and separation from parents (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 1.54-6.37) were associated with an increased risk of gang membership. A dose-response association was observed, with 4 or more ACEs increasing the risk (OR, 8.86; 95% CI, 2.24-35.08). In latent class analysis, the class with child maltreatment and household challenges was associated with a higher risk of gang membership than the low-adversities class (OR, 7.10; 95% CI, 2.37-21.28). There was no robust evidence that children exposed to household challenges and social risks were at increased risk of gang membership (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 0.46-11.25). In this prospective cohort study, ACEs, particularly child maltreatment and family conflict, were associated with gang involvement when examined individually, cumulatively, and as clusters in a high-crime environment in Brazil. These findings underscore the value of integrating the ACE framework into gang-related research and the potential to reduce gang-related crime by reducing ACEs.

Echoes of insecurity: The detrimental effect of crime on corporate employment

AbstractThis study investigates the influence of local crime on corporate employment in China. Leveraging a comprehensive data set of 85 million court judicial documents, we construct city‐level crime measures. We find that local crime is negatively associated with corporate employment. Using China's Gang Crime Crackdown program as a quasi‐natural experiment and the difference‐in‐differences approach, we further identify the causal relationship. Violent crimes and those with longer sentences drive the negative correlation between local crime and corporate employment. This relation is particularly pronounced among low‐skilled employees, in cities with inadequate commuter security, and in financially constrained firms. Our findings emphasize the role of a secure social environment in the local labor market and firms' employment decisions.

Earthquakes and Crimes Against Women

While previous studies have analyzed the impact of earthquakes on domestic violence, less is known about its effects on other crimes against women. Administrative records on criminal incidence from Mexico enable this study on different crimes against women following two major earthquakes that struck Mexico in September 2017. The article estimates causal effects using a difference-in-differences strategy and shows that following the earthquakes femicides decreased by 2 percent, sexual abuse rose by 11 percent, and rape climbed by 12 percent. An exhaustive examination of potential mechanisms using survey data yields suggestive evidence that gangs play an important role in the escalation of sexual abuse. Data on school damages further shows that disruptions to middle- and high-schools could have plausibly facilitated students’ gang membership. HIGHLIGHTS In Mexico, one of the impacts of earthquakes is on crimes against women. Following earthquakes, sexual abuse increased by 11 percent and rape by 12 percent. Gangs play an important role in the escalation of sexual abuse.

NOVEL TRAIN HEIST OPTIMIZATION AND LOGISTIC CHAOTIC MAP BASED FRESHMAN LEARNING PROCESS INSPIRED ALGORITHM FOR SOLVING THE OPTIMAL POWER FLOW PROBLEM

Train heist based optimization (THO) algorithm is designed based on the really happened train heist in United Kingdom. In the exploration section, robbery gang has been executed the plan has been imitated and mathematically defined. Prior to the execution the robbers plan the conspiracy after multiple examinations on the track. In the exploitation section fled activities of the robbery gang has been emulated and scientifically defined. Even though Leatherslade Farm had been already purchased by the robbery gang, they altered the plan rapidly with minimum stay period in the farm by listening in to the police very high frequencychannels. Chaotic communiqué amongst the gang members and Perception of movement may differ among the gang members and the error value in the decision of the movement is defined. Then in tis paper Logistic chaotic map based freshman learning process inspired optimization (LCP) algorithm is designed to solve the problem. LCP algorithm is designed by imitating the freshman learning process.Trainer will enhance learning processof freshman day by day. Freshman lives in ambiguous world and monetary predicament may originate at dissimilar phases of freshman’s life. Deeds of the freshman learning process are mathematically formulated and population engendered based on the logistic chaos mapping. Trainer will explore the complications and consider a mean point of all complications. Suitable guidance and solutions will be delivered to the freshman by the trainer. Train heist based optimization (THO) algorithm and Logistic chaotic map based freshman learning process inspired optimization (LCP) algorithm are validated in 23 Benchmarking functions and IEEE 30, 354 systems.

Challenges Afflicting Prisons – A First-hand Observation

Prisons encounter numerous challenges stemming from systemic, social, and administrative shortcomings. Overcrowding stands out as a significant problem, with facilities operating well beyond their intended capacities, leading to strained resources, increased tensions, and substandard living conditions. The high volume of pretrial detainees exacerbates overcrowding, prolongs the wait for justice, and creates excessive difficulties for those who are imprisoned. Deficiencies in infrastructure, a lack of initiatives to build new prisons or expand the capacity of current facilities, insufficient medical care - particularly in mental health services - and shortages of staff all jeopardize the well-being and safety of inmates. Additionally, gender-specific issues, such as insufficient facilities for women and the absence of open prisons, underscore the system's failure to support marginalized groups. Furthermore, the scarcity of rehabilitation programs hinders the reintegration of prisoners into society. Malpractices, gang activity, and substance abuse in prisons worsen these conditions, leading to violence and fatalities that hinder reform initiatives. Addressing these interconnected challenges requires extensive reforms that involve robust administrative commitment, investments in infrastructure and workforce, improvements to the legal framework, and the creation of rehabilitation programs aimed at cultivating a more humane and efficient prison system.

Safety, Belonging, and Forgiveness: Exploring the Role of Faith-Based Educational Organizations in Mitigating Gang Violence in Central America and the Caribbean

ABSTRACT This paper examines findings from a multi-country study of faith-based education in Latin America and considers the role and contributions of faith-based organizations in addressing the causes and consequences of gang-violence in the Latin American context. Findings point to distinctive attributes of faith-based educational organizations, related to safety, belonging, and forgiveness, that enable them to play unique and effective roles in addressing the threats of gang violence to social cohesion. It considers a set of illustrative organizational cases, before analyzing how the organizational attributes and roles of faith-based actors help prevent or respond to the challenges of widespread gang activity. It then concludes by considering implications for public policy and contributions to understanding the relationship between educational pluralism and social cohesion in diverse contexts.

Strengths, Barriers, and Recommendations for a Wraparound Gang Intervention Program Targeting High Risk Youth

ABSTRACT The Wraparound approach aims to prevent and interrupt gang activity by “wrapping” youth with individualized supports to increase prosocial connections and reduce the risks for gang involvement. The current study examines 38 interviews with program staff and external stakeholders to assess implementation strengths and challenges of a Wraparound program in British Columbia, Canada. Thematic analysis resulted in seven strengths-related themes concerning program structure, team, and youth engagement strategies, and seven challenge-related themes regarding youth interactions, resources, and communication. Findings highlight the benefits of an individualized approach, with consideration of enhanced communication and outreach strategies, resource allocation, and case manager training.

A geography of early vulnerabilities and exploitation in the narratives of adolescent males in England

Purpose The victimisation and criminal involvement of young people in organised criminal groups is a recognised form of child criminal exploitation (CCE) in the UK. Three phases of exploitation were identified (peer influence, adult street-level gangs and organised criminal groups). This paper aims to consider the locations associated with three stages of criminal exploitation and considers implications for safeguarding. Design/methodology/approach The research uses narratives of adolescent males and those of adults reflecting on their experiences as adolescents who had been immersed in street gangs and organised crime from northern England. Method Narratives of criminal action approach, a thematic analysis and multidimensional scaling (smallest space analysis) were undertaken to explore key locations in the planning and commissioning of a crime with at least one other person. Findings The narratives revealed that local and regional geographic locations relate to the stages of CCE. They offer an insight into the process of CCE and identify locations that could be used as a risk indicator for police forces and safeguarding teams. A clear pathway from involvement with street-level gangs to direct contact with organised criminal groups was found. This transition was represented by a move from outdoor to indoor locations. Research limitations/implications Out of the 30 participants, 29 came from the same region in Northern England, spanning a period of 30 years. It is possible that the findings may be limited to this region, or that there have been changes to criminal structures and opportunities over this time. Originality/value Although drug selling and the movement of victims across the UK is central to CCE, comparatively little attention has been given to the locations where early exploitation takes place at a micro level. Practical implications for policing and safeguarding will be discussed.

Exploratory evaluation of the pilot programme of Round Midnight Virtual Decisions: KNIVES Workshops, a VR-Based Violence Prevention Programme

Round Midnight is a creative arts company that specialises in the use of drama and technology in education. They piloted a series of Virtual Reality (VR) based workshops for children and young people across Birmingham, focusing on issues within communities such as knife crime and gang violence. An exploratory evaluation of the initial impact of the workshops was carried out in two Year Five and Year Six classes in a primary school in Birmingham. Quantitative and Qualitative pre- and post-survey data from children, and a teacher focus group, were used to assess the influence of the programme on the following: (1) Understanding knife crime, the misconceptions and why people may carry knives; (2) Understanding the dangers, consequences and implications of carrying knives; (3) Recognising loyal and trustworthy friendships; (4) Recognising how to resolve conflict safely.Survey data suggested a decrease in children’s self-reported likelihood of carrying a knife after they had participated in the workshops. The data suggested children had more in-depth knowledge of knife crime, including the misconceptions, consequences and impacts of carrying a knife after participating in the workshops. Children also showed an understanding of safe conflict resolution after the workshops. Overall, the data suggests that the pilot of the Round Midnight Virtual Decisions: KNIVES curriculum had a positive impact on children’s knowledge, understanding and attitudes toward knife crime. Practical applications are discussed.

Offense specialization among outlaw motorcycle gang members: Comparing specialization metrics

PurposeWe examine the extent of offense specialization among outlaw motorcycle gang affiliates across Australia using a multi-metric approach, and by doing so compare diverse measures of specialization. MethodsThe sample consisted of 19,633 offenses, committed by 2283 affiliates of outlaw motor cycle gangs (OMCGs), disaggregated into four offense categories: ongoing criminal enterprise, short-term instrumental, violence and intimidation, and other offenses against person. Six specialization metrics were employed to measure specialization among the full sample of affiliates and relevant subgroups. ResultsOf the six metrics employed to measure specialization, five suggested a high degree of versatility in offending among OMCG affiliates. Results were inconsistent across metrics when examining levels of specialization among subgroups of OMCG affiliates, and across offense categories. ConclusionsOMCGs are highly versatile in their offending, demonstrating the importance of interventions targeting organized, violent and lower-level volume crime. However, different measures of specialization yielded inconsistent results and appeared to be measuring different constructs. The suitability of metrics is dependent on the nature of the data and research question of interest. Future specialization research should employ a multi-metric approach to thoroughly explore specialization and improve the ability for cross study comparisons.

Multisystemic therapy for young people involved in or at risk of child criminal exploitation: Young people and Caregivers' perspectives

AbstractChild criminal exploitation is a form of child abuse, linked to youth gang involvement and with long‐lasting serious consequences for communities. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is a systemic intervention for antisocial behaviour with an extensive evidence base but there is limited research focussing on gang involved or criminally exploited young people. Through semi‐structured interviews, this study qualitatively explored young people at risk of exploitation (n = 4) and their caregivers (n = 6) experience of MST across three sites in England. Four themes emerged through thematic analysis: changes experienced; improved caregiver‐young person relationship; facilitators of change; and barriers to change. The process of MST facilitated behaviour change and supported development of support networks for caregivers and engagement with prosocial young peers. Barriers to change included young people's association with negative adults and frequent peer relationship changes. Further exploration of the complex associations between negative adults and young people at risk of exploitation is recommended.

The transnational mental health burden of Haiti's alleged collapse: preliminary findings from The Haitian Well-Being Study.

Transnational drug trafficking, political unrest, gang violence, and paramilitarism, which are pervasive in Haiti, have resulted in a mental health crisis for the broader Haitian community. This study explores the mental well-being of Haitians in Haiti and the United States by identifying barriers and facilitators to mental health through the lived experiences of men and women. Four Focus group discussions conducted in April and November 2023 engaged 28 participants (20 women and eight men) aged between 23 and 60 years from locations in Haiti (Port-au-Prince, Cite Soleil, Cayes, Cap-Haitien, Saint-Marc) and the United States. Discussions revolved around the definition of mental health, stressors, coping mechanisms, risk and protective factors, and barriers to mental health care. Six principal themes emerged: 1- Chronic Traumatic Stress: continued violence, political instability, unemployment, lack of social support, adverse childhood experiences, family separation, and forced displacement were significant sources of stress. 2- Increased Health Burden: Participants reported experiencing chronic physical and psychological symptoms [i.e., hypertension, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, substance abuse, suicidal ideations, characteristics of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)], which were attributed to Haiti's social, political, and infrastructure collapse. 3- Risk Factors: limited access to mental health services, pervasive hopelessness, scarcity of opportunities, and stigma were identified as significant risks. 4- Future Uncertainty: widespread concerns regarding the future predominated. 5- Multigenerational Concerns: Significant anxiety concerning the mental health and development of children, as well as the functionality of mental health practitioners, was noted. 6- Coping and Protective Factors: Effective coping strategies include mental stimulation, peer support, managing digital consumption, engaging in leisurely activities, such as listening to music, and faith/spirituality. The study's findings underscore the sociopolitical and economic crisis in Haiti, which has resulted in violence and a dismantle of political, educational, financial, and health infrastructures. These factors were identified as the primary source of chronic distress, contributing to widespread mental health issues, adverse physical symptoms, and disruption in daily life. The implications for practice, healing, research & policy are discussed.

As die Cape Flats Kon Praat: Locality and the Literature of Precarious Living

This paper discusses the importance of Brian Fredericks’s short story collection, As die Cape Flats Kon Praat (If the Cape Flats Could Speak), published in 2020. The nine stories in the collection present different narratives of male characters and their experiences on the living areas outside Cape Town collectively known as the Cape Flats. These areas are synonymous with poverty and violence, identifiers that simultaneously suggest urgent attention but also reductive stereotyping. Two of the stories in the collection are examined here for information they provide about the intersections between gang culture and family relations, as well as how both are shaped by senses of place. How geographical space (here, space that was engineered during apartheid) influences and is influenced by the movements and actions of people is a point of theoretical interest in this article. This is supported by a short study of the workings of Cape Flats gangs and the transactional role played by violence. Fredericks’s collection joins a growing and necessary library of redress that reflects the value of Cape Flats narratives as essential to South African literature. That this collection includes the language of Afrikaaps, which is undergoing a similar re-evaluation in recent knowledge production, underscores the relevance of newer output that sheds light on the social codes, cultural grammars, and moral economies of a hitherto underrepresented literary region.

How might Apple, Freire, and hooks redesign the modern school as a site for social transformation?

In Western society, schools have largely been designed to reproduce capitalist, patriarchal, white supremacist, colonial systems and values. Numerous structural elements—from redlining and modern segregation to scripted curricula and high-stakes testing—work to ensure that schools solidify existing social inequalities, produce good worker bees, and keep hegemonic powers in place. Shaped within these forces of reproduction, our schools are fraught with grave problems: racism and discrimination in every form, physical and emotional bullying, hunger and food insecurity, technology addiction, sexual harassment, teen suicide, conflicts and gang violence, drug use, mindless consumption, and ecological destruction. The modern school is a perfect microcosm and reflection of an unhealthy society. How might we redesign schools such that they become sites of social transformation, rather than reproduction? How might we cultivate kind, ethical, empowered global citizens within our classrooms? In this paper, I will explore how Michael Apple, Paulo Freire, and bell hooks might address these questions. I will explore each scholar’s theories in an attempt to imagine what a school based in their pedagogical philosophy might look like—one that nurtures kind, ethical, and empowered global citizens.

Sociopolitical, clinical, and ethical challenges of sustainable fracture care in Haiti.

In low- and middle-income countries such as Haiti, musculoskeletal injuries are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Untreated injuries can contribute to decreased mobility, leading to disability and reduced productivity for individuals. The accessibility of timely fracture care poses a substantial challenge in Haiti, where socioeconomic instability and recent surges in gang violence exacerbate an already strained healthcare infrastructure. This manuscript delves into the intricate barriers to sustainable fracture care in Haiti, shedding light on the sociopolitical landscape and clinical challenges that influence the delivery of orthopedic services. The ethical considerations in providing fracture care in Haiti are multifaceted, including classic medical principles, self-preservation in the face of violence, issues of justice in resource and service allocation, and concerns of nonmaleficence in the context of international volunteers. These ethical dilemmas arise from the complex interplay of limited resources, the dangers posed by the current sociopolitical climate, and the involvement of international aid in a vulnerable healthcare system. To address the clinical and ethical conflicts of providing fracture care in Haiti, solutions include education and training of Haitian orthopedic surgeons, capacity building of healthcare facilities, and establishing ethical standards for international volunteers. This comprehensive approach is vital for advancing sustainable fracture care in Haiti and other resource-limited settings.

Keeping it real: A signaling theory perspective on authentic claims of gang membership made on social media

The advent of social media has transformed the landscape of street gang dynamics. Although existing research has documented gang members’ use of social media—including identity performance, rival taunting, promoting gang culture, and conflict de-escalation—it often lacks a theoretical foundation and process-oriented view of these digital interactions. This study advances a signaling timeline approach to fill this gap. We apply it to a case study of Chicago Latino gangs and qualitative content analysis performed on 2849 posts and thousands more replies and comments web-scraped from a public Facebook page. Our theoretical framework decodes the intricate language of gang communications on social media to uncover the mechanisms behind interpretations and perceptions of gang members’ authenticity and the reasons behind the public nature of what might otherwise be considered clandestine activities. Ultimately this research contributes to understanding the digital negotiation of gang dynamics, highlighting the strategic use of communication in cyberspace.

Assessing the Impact of Civil Gang Injunctions on the Use of Online Media by Criminal Street Gangs

Assessing the Impact of Civil Gang Injunctions on the Use of Online Media by Criminal Street Gangs

The Perils of Service Provision in Unsafe Areas: Providing Continuing Services to Youth during Gang Violence in the Cape Flats, South Africa

Youth involvement in criminal gangs is rife in a particular area of Cape Town, the capital city of Western Cape, South Africa, known as the Cape Flats. But the Cape Flats is not unique and the youth’s susceptibility to join these gangs cuts across cultures and societies. Wherever there is marginalisation and disadvantage, social issues emerge that are difficult to combat because of systemic and structural barriers. Community workers and those who live in these areas are often at their wits end trying to combat the allure that gang membership holds for their teenage children. This article reports on a study that was part of a larger research study conducted between 2016–2018 by social work students at a university situated in the area. The article reflects the findings of the 2018 study that focused on the perceptions and experiences of those who work or provide services in the area. The aim of the study was to explore the participants’ experiences of gang violence during service provision and their opinions about ways to address their concerns. A qualitative approach, utilising an intervention mapping design was used. Individual interviews were conducted with 325 service providers on the Cape Flats. Two main themes emerged from thematic data analysis, namely, impact on service providers and service delivery, and suggested interventions and solutions. The implications of the findings are that the increasing violence has severe consequences on service provision in communities and is disruptive and traumatising to everybody involved.