Involvement In Criminal Activities Research Articles

1723 – Female prisoners and gender violence

Violence is one of the most serious forms of discrimination on account of sex /gender. It is a phenomenon that affects women of different social classes, ethnic and professional groups. Some of these women end up involved with situations that leads them to imprisonment. To identify histories of gender violence in a feminine jail population; to analyze the relation of this violence with the imprisonment. Understand the circumstances of gender violence that imprisoned women were exposed. Thematic oral history research, carried out at the Female Penitentiary in Ribeirão Preto (SP) - Brazil. A semistructured interview was applied to 15 female prisoners. The analysis of the prisoners’ narratives allowed the identification of two categories: “involvement with criminal partners” and “victimization and violence cycle”. In both, the interviewed women understood that they were dominated by men and considered the violence against them deep-rooted in human culture. They claimed that their involvement in criminal activities, mainly drug trafficking, was under the influence or enticement by companions. Some of them were arrested because they carried drugs to their partners inside male penitentiaries. They said that they had no alternative to the criminal activity as there were no social support and opportunities. The complexity of violence against women makes necessary the implementation of health, social assistance and education public policies that comprise combat, prevention, assistance and assurance of women’s rights.

Exploration of Arrest Activity among Homeless Young Adults in Four U.S. Cities

Research suggests that in comparison with their housed peers, homeless young adults have disproportionately greater involvement in criminal activity, including theft, property offenses, and illicit substance use (Baer, Peterson, & Wells, 2004; Thompson, Jun, Bender, Ferguson, & Pollio, 2010). Because 20% to 30% of the nearly 2 million homeless young people have arrest histories (O'Grady & Gaetz, 2004; Whitbeck, 2009), a conservative estimate translates to 150,000 homeless young people encountering the criminal justice system each year. These estimates are cause for societal and economic concern because criminal involvement among homeless young adults is associated with unemployment and labor market exclusion (O'Grady & Gaetz, 2004) and chronic adult homelessness (Tyler & Johnson, 2006). Previous studies have suggested that homeless young people become more estranged from conventional institutions and prosocial groups the longer they remain on the streets (Thompson & Pollio, 2006). Those who have been homeless longer are also more likely than those who have been homeless for shorter durations to experience greater transience (Ferguson, Jun, Bender, Thompson, & Pollio, 2010). Geographic mobility prohibits bonding to prosocial institutions, such as family, school, and employment, and encourages interactions with other homeless peers that facilitate further acculturation to the streets (Gaetz & O'Grady, 2002). There is evidence that substance abuse is more likely with increased length of homelessness, societal estrangement, and affiliation with substance-using peers (Johnson, Whitbeck, & Hoyt, 2005). Young people who are addicted to drugs and embedded in a street lifestyle often turn to panhandling, theft, survival sex, and other survival strategies to finance their addictions (Baron, 2009; Farabee, Shen, Hser, Grella, & Anglin, 2001). These activities may serve as a gateway to more serious forms of crime (Tolan, Gorman-Smith, & Loeber, 2000). Finally, certain demographic variables, such as gender, may increase the risk of engaging in criminal behavior, with male runaway youths being significantly more likely than female runaway youths to commit criminal activity (Kempf-Leonard & Johansson, 2007). This review thus suggests that chronically homeless young adults who are disaffiliated from conventional institutions, rely on support from peers, and are embedded in the street economy may engage in criminal activity for economic survival (Tyler & Johnson, 2006).

Foster youth and crime: Employing general strain theory to promote understanding

PurposeDespite the growing research evidence into vulnerability, disadvantage, and poor outcomes for young people leaving foster care, relatively little attention has been paid to our understanding of criminal engagement. The present study contributes to our understanding of this process by drawing on general strain theory (GST) to examine how specific forms of strain may lead to crime among foster youth. MethodsData from a national study of post-care foster youth in England are examined using robust logistic regression analysis, and a thematic analysis of qualitative interviews. Logistic regression was applied to conduct a simultaneous analysis of main and interaction effects of strains and conditioning variables on crime involvement among foster youth. Thematic analysis was utilised to explore themes for explaining the quantitative findings. ResultsStrains such as unemployment, school exclusion, length of time in care and instability of placement were significant predictors for involvement in criminal activity among foster youth. Conditioning factors, namely self-esteem and life skills acquired prior to leaving care, tend to mediate the relationship between these strains and criminal involvement. In-depth qualitative evidence further reinforced the effects of strains and conditional nature of the strains-crime relationship among foster youth. ConclusionsThe findings demonstrate the utility of employing GST in studies of foster youth, and they suggest implications for youth services and other foster youth programmes.

Stopping the revolving door: A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of interventions for criminally involved individuals with major mental disorders.

Faced with high and increasing rates of mental disorder within the criminal justice system (CJS), a range of interventions have been implemented in an effort to prevent continued involvement in criminal activities among this population. A meta-analytic review was undertaken to consider the effectiveness of interventions for criminally involved adults with a mental disorder targeting either improved criminal justice or mental health outcomes. Furthermore, characteristics that were hypothesized to predict better outcomes were examined. Studies that considered sex offender interventions, or focused solely on antisocial personality, intellectual and cognitive, or substance use disorders were excluded. Results assuming a fixed-effects model combining 37 effect sizes from 25 studies (N = 15,678) support the effectiveness of these interventions in terms of reductions in any CJS involvement (d = 0.19 excluding one outlier). Interventions had no significant effect on an aggregate mental health outcome (d = 0.00). However, when considering distinct mental health outcomes, intervention participants had significantly better functioning (d = 0.20) and fewer symptoms (d = 0.12). There were no significant effects of the interventions on mental health service or medication use. Moderator analyses identified seven sample, intervention, and design characteristics that were related to the magnitude of the effect sizes for criminal justice outcomes, and suggest implications for service provision, policy, and research. Results suggested some relationship between intervention effects on mental health and criminal justice reinvolvement, although future research is needed in this area, especially given the absence of mental health outcome data in many studies.

Deportation as a Process of Irreversible Transformation

Based on life stories from 24 deported Jamaican immigrants and extensive examination of secondary data from nearly 1 million historical newspaper pages in The Gleaner's online archives (years 1834 to 2008), this article argues that the deportation of Jamaican immigrants from the US is an emblematic case of transformation which is, in fact, irreversible. In the literature, the term ‘transformation’ is used to describe the radical changes and rapid adjustments which immigrants are forced to make in order to become American. This article contributes to the forced-return migration literature by pointing out that some immigrants’ identities are transformed from ‘voluntary migrant’ to ‘deportee’, and their transformation into deportees is a process which can begin soon after immigrants make attempts to achieve their American dreams of socio-economic mobility. In the absence of the requisite familial support and financial and human capital, some immigrants experience sharp socio-economic decline, run foul of the law, are removed from the US and irreversibly prevented by force of law from returning. On the migrants’ return to Jamaica, the deportation process does not end, as local media and countrymen facilitate the irreversible identity transformation process which was started in the US by referring to subjects as ‘deportees’ and associating them with a lack of capital and an involvement in criminal activity.

Heroin maintenance for chronic heroin-dependent individuals

Several types of medications have been used for stabilizing heroin users: Methadone, Buprenorphine and levo-alpha-acetyl-methadol (LAAM.) The present review focuses on the prescription of heroin to heroin-dependent individuals. To compare heroin maintenance to methadone or other substitution treatments for opioid dependence regarding: efficacy and acceptability, retaining patients in treatment, reducing the use of illicit substances, and improving health and social functioning. A review of the Cochrane Central Register of Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to november 2009), EMBASE (1980 to 2005) and CINAHL until 2005 (on OVID) was conducted. Personal communications with researchers in the field of heroin prescription identified ongoing trials. Randomised controlled trials of heroin maintenance treatment (alone or combined with methadone) compared with any other pharmacological treatment for heroin-dependent individuals. Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Eight studies involving 2007 patients met the inclusion criteria. Five studies compared supervised injected heroin plus flexible dosages of methadone treatment to oral methadone only and showed that heroin helps patients to remain in treatment (valid data from 4 studies, N=1388 Risk Ratio 1.44 (95%CI 1.19-1.75) heterogeneity P=0.03), and to reduce use of illicit drugs. Maintenance with supervised injected heroin has a not statistically significant protective effect on mortality (4 studies, N=1477 Risk Ratio 0.65 (95% CI 0.25-1.69) heterogeneity P=0.89), but it exposes at a greater risk of adverse events related to study medication (3 studies N=373 Risk Ratio 13.50 (95% CI 2.55-71.53) heterogeneity P=0.52). Results on criminal activity and incarceration were not possible to be pooled but where the outcome were measured results of single studies do provide evidence that heroin provision can reduce criminal activity and incarceration/imprisonment. Social functioning improved in all the intervention groups with heroin groups having slightly better results. If all the studies comparing heroin provision in any conditions vs any other treatment are pooled the direction of effect remain in favour of heroin. The available evidence suggests an added value of heroin prescribed alongside flexible doses of methadone for long-term, treatment refractory, opioid users, to reach a decrease in the use of illicit substances, involvement in criminal activity and incarceration, a possible reduction in mortaliity; and an increase in retention in treatment. Due to the higher rate of serious adverse events, heroin prescription should remain a treatment for people who are currently or have in the past failed maintenance treatment, and it should be provided in clinical settings where proper follow-up is ensured.

A survey of alcohol vulnerability of male prison inmates in Nigeria

Alcohol and substance abuse has been linked with criminal behavior particularly recidivism.. Criminal recidivism is the act of re-offending or persistent involvement in criminal activities. The study investigated the effect of alcohol abuse on the recidivism risk levels, number of times convicted/imprisoned and nature of offence of prison inmates in Nigeria. The Self Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) was administered to 1200 inmates in six prisons across Nigeria. The results of the study revealed that alcohol/substance abuse has significant effect on the recidivism risk levels and the number of times convicted among inmates. However alcohol has no significant effect on the nature of inmates’ offense. The study recommends the need for the Nigerian Prisons Service to commence programmes targeted towards treatment of alcohol /substance abuse,. Keywords: alcohol, criminal recidivism, prison inmates.

Early adult outcomes for Irish children with behavioural difficulties

There are few longitudinal studies of Irish children and, to date, no studies reporting long-term outcome for those with behavioural disorder in childhood. This paper describes psychological and educational outcomes for a group of Irish children initially assessed at age 11 years and re-examined 10 years later. The period during which the research was conducted coincided with a time of increasing wealth in Ireland and the consequent development of psychological and educational services. To follow up and assess psychological and educational outcomes for a group of young people aged 21 years, half of whom had high levels of behavioural problems at age 11. Data were gathered at two time points for 97 children and their families. Childhood measures included psychological and behavioural functioning, IQ, family background and economic circumstances. Outcome measures assessed in young adulthood included psychological functioning, educational attainment and trouble with the law. Behavioural deviance at age 11 was found to be highly predictive of negative outcomes in early adulthood including a greater likelihood of involvement in criminal activity and less educational success. The likelihood of educational failure increased with the accumulation of risk factors including economic disadvantage and low IQ. These findings, supported in other international studies, underline the importance of behavioural difficulties in childhood for adult outcome, even in an environment of greater service and educational opportunities and access.

Creating a Path by Walking It - A Year in Review of Pohna: Keepers of the Fire

Youth involvement in criminal activity and gangs is a complex problem. This article examines Pohna: Keepers of the Fire, a gang intervention and diversion program for at risk youth. The program seeks to guide at risk youth away from criminal activity by creating a place where youth are valued and their strengths are used to build their connections and responsibilities to the community. There is no simple and straightfoward answer to addressing the problem of youth involvement in criminal activity and gangs. However, from our analysis of five case studies, we have learned that in order to develop effective programs and interventions for at risk youth, we need to focus our attention on learning from them and our interactions with them. To effectively support the youth involved in Pohna, we need to understand and address the broader forces at work that both strengthen and undermine their resiliency.

Conscription and Crime: Evidence from the Argentine Draft Lottery

We estimate the causal effect of mandatory participation in military service on individuals' subsequent involvement in criminal activities. To identify this causal effect, we exploit the random assignment of young men to conscription in Argentina through a draft lottery. Using a dataset that includes draft eligibility, participation in military service, and criminal records, we find that conscription increases the likelihood of developing a criminal record. The effects are significant not only for cohorts that provided military service during wartime, but also for those that served during peacetime. Our results do not support the introduction of conscription for anti-crime purposes. JEL (H56, K42, O17)

Drugs, Hearts and Minds: Irregular War and the Coca Economy in South Bolivar, Colombia (1996–2004)

The involvement of non-state armed organisations (NSAOs) in illegal economies is often seen as a sign of the changing nature of contemporary armed conflicts. In particular, it is assumed that they no longer care about winning over the people's ‘hearts and minds’ and become violent and abusive towards the population. This paper challenges these claims and shows how, despite their involvement in criminal activities, NSAOs in South Bolivar still continued their attempts at developing and strengthening a local political base. Moreover, excessive violence against civilians was not directly related to the drug economy but aimed at achieving political and military ends.

Hizbullah Terrorism Finance: Fund-Raising and Money-Laundering

Hizbullah, which has been designated a terrorist entity in several international jurisdictions, depends upon a substantial mobilization of financial resources to support its complex, multi-faceted organizational apparatus, its domestic activities in Lebanon, and its far-reaching transnational operations. This study surveys Hizbullah's resourcing requirements, and examines the role of military assistance from Iran and Syria along with Hizbullah's own reliance on front organizations, clandestine networks, business enterprises, propaganda media, and local exactions to generate funding for operational activities. Particular attention is directed at the diversion of charitable contributions, the exploitation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), involvement in criminal activities and contraband trade, and the money laundering mechanisms utilized to transfer funds to where they are required. It also reviews efforts by international authorities to staunch the flow of financial resources to terror groups, activities and operations, including their effect on Hizbullah terrorism finance.

Conscription and Crime: Evidence from the Argentine Draft Lottery

We estimate the causal effect of mandatory participation in the military service on the involvement in criminal activities. We exploit the random assignment of young men to military service in Argentina through a draft lottery to identify this causal effect. Using a unique set of administrative data that includes draft eligibility, participation in the military service, and criminal records, we find that participation in the military service increases the likelihood of developing a criminal record in adulthood. The effects are not only significant for the cohorts that performed military service during war times, but also for those that provided service at peace times. We also find that military service has detrimental effects on future performance in the labor market.

The Crime-Terror Nexus: Transformation, Alliance, Convergence

The crime-terror nexus includes two independent, but related, components. First, it incorporates the straightforward involvement in criminal activities by terrorists as a source of funding, and second, it refers to the linkages between organized criminal organizations and terrorist groups. Indeed, the criminal and political organizations appear to be learning from each other, adopting each other’s tactics and strategies and frequently partner with one another. The crime-terror nexus is directly challenging the security of U.S. and other nations, thus having an in-depth understanding of the crime-terror nexus is the first step toward problem solving.

Cannabis and crime: findings from a longitudinal study

To examine the association between cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood, and subsequent criminal charges. Data were obtained from the Young in Norway Longitudinal Study. A population-based sample (n = 1353) was followed from 13 to 27 years of age. Data were gathered on cannabis use, alcohol consumption and alcohol problems, and use of other illegal substances such as amphetamines, cocaine and opiates. In addition, extensive information on socio-demographic, family and personal factors was collected. This data set was linked to individual-level information from official Norwegian crime statistics. We found robust associations between cannabis use and later registered criminal charges, both in adolescence and in young adulthood. These associations were adjusted for a range of confounding factors, such as family socio-economic background, parental support and monitoring, educational achievement and career, previous criminal charges, conduct problems and history of cohabitation and marriage. In separate models, we controlled for alcohol measures and for use of other illegal substances. After adjustment, we still found strong associations between cannabis use and later criminal charges. However, when eliminating all types of drug-specific charges from our models, we no longer observed any significant association with cannabis use. The study suggests that cannabis use in adolescence and early adulthood may be associated with subsequent involvement in criminal activity. However, the bulk of this involvement seems to be related to various types of drug-specific crime. Thus, the association seems to rest on the fact that use, possession and distribution of drugs such as cannabis is illegal. The study strengthens concerns about the laws relating to the use, possession and distribution of cannabis.

Street Gangs, Migration and Ethnicity

by Frank Van Gemert, Dana Peterson and Inger-Lise Lien ( eds ) Cullompton : Willan , 2008 ISBN 9781843923961 , 286 pp, £25.00 (pb) Street Gangs, Migration and Ethnicity is an edited collection of essays that provides an international perspective on deviant street gangs. The book contains 16 chapters and is structured into four thematic parts: Introduction and methods; Migration and street gangs; Ethnicity and street gangs; Issues and challenges of migration and ethnicity in dealing with street gangs. There are around 30 contributors to this book, who are all studying durable, street-oriented youth groups whose active involvement in criminal activity forms an important part of the groups’ identity. The contributors present findings from qualitative and quantitative research studies conducted on street gangs in North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia and Russia. Broadly, the book explores how ethnicity and migration – referring to both the movements of people and cultures – affect street gang formation and behaviour. The introductory chapters provide the reader with an outline of the book’s structure and a more in-depth discussion of the key issues that it covers. They also provide an interesting discussion around the ethical and methodological difficulties of researching marginal groups and the wider communities from which they hail, which are vulnerable to stigma and prejudice. Through several fascinating examples of street gangs found across the globe, the authors identify a series of pressures and social conditions affecting both migrant and indigenous populations, which appear conducive to street gang formation. The migrant groups, discussed by the authors, are often found living in deprived communities, facing hostility and negativity from sections of the indigenous population, the media and the various social institutions responsible for integrating them. The authors argue that it is often second generation migrants who are more likely to join deviant gangs, as they struggle to maintain a connection with the cultures of both their new and their old countries. While racist discourses, negative reactions to migrants and changing political, social and economic contexts, are identified as possible contributing factors in the appearance of indigenous street gangs. Migration is also explored in this book as the movement of cultures, ideas and symbols via the media and internet. Images of gangster styles have become interwoven with youth cultures and popular culture more broadly. In an age of global interconnectedness, the authors argue that these have become easily accessible to young people. The authors consider ethnic background to be relevant and useful for understanding street gangs. The chapters dedicated to the impact of ethnicity describe not only contrasting but also similar experiences for gang members, which seem to transcend racial and cultural differences. The authors conclude that street gangs are not comprised solely of ethnic minorities. Where differences do occur along ethnic lines, the evidence presented points towards differences in gang behaviour; the attitudes of members towards their group; and in the justification for joining a gang – where racism, prejudice and stigma were cited frequently by ethnic minority gang members. The authors also discuss the relationships that street gangs and their members share with their family and the wider community. They stress that a strong, close-knit relationship between street gangs and those around them, does not often provide the means to disrupt their criminal activities, as some policy-makers often assume. The authors conclude by outlining some of the shortcomings of their approach. They also direct the reader’s attention towards possible future research agendas and the ways in which policy-makers might tackle something that remains a consistent social problem for many societies. Overall, this is an excellent book: well written and very accessible. The authors have taken as their focus for this book, a set of issues that are sensitive and highly contentious – given the ways in which crime and ethnicity have been discussed historically in some academic, political and media circles (Phillips and Bowling, 2002). They deserve praise for approaching these issues with requisite diligence and for producing an extremely thought-provoking examination of deviant street gangs.

The Gendered Nature of Drug Acquisition Behavior Within Marijuana and Crack Drug Markets

Previous studies examining how gender structures women’s opportunities to engage in the street-level drug economy have provided insight into the changing nature of illicit drug markets and women’s roles within this illegitimate economy. Using national data from the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program, this study adds to the existing body of research by examining drug market acquisition behaviors and how such drug activity differs by gender. The findings indicate that male and female arrestees use different strategies when obtaining drugs. Specifically, women appear to rely on a more limited array of social contacts than men when acquiring drugs. The results also reveal that the effect of gender on efforts to obtain drugs is not constant across drug types. This study suggests that the strategies used by women when obtaining drugs may very well reflect the gendered culture of street-level drug markets and the influence of personal relationships on women’s involvement in criminal activity.

Toward a Needs-Based Typology of Homeless Youth

Purpose Research on homeless youth consistently suggests a need for a broad matrix of services to facilitate a successful transition into housed society. This paper seeks to develop distinct matrices of services for youth according to their involvement in, or experience with, high-risk factors. Such a typology may increase the ability of providers to maximize the impact of scarce resources and organize treatment and reintegration efforts to match the needs of vulnerable youth. Methods Seven risk categories were identified in the literature: abusive experiences, involvement in prostitution, involvement in criminal activities, suicidal ideation/attempt, living circumstances, alcohol/marijuana use, and the use of drugs other than alcohol and marijuana. K-means cluster analysis was then used to separate 422 homeless youth based on their involvement in or experience with these categories. Results Four distinct treatment needs were identified: Group 1—minimal treatment; Group 2—therapeutic housing with an emphasis on substance abuse; Group 3—therapeutic housing with an emphasis on behavior management; Group 4—comprehensive treatment. Conclusions According to this typology, less than 18% of this sample are adequately served by the current system of federal intervention, whereas the largest group is in need of comprehensive services to successfully re-enter housed society.

The German underworld and the Ringvereine from the 1890s through the 1950s

Ringvereine were officially chartered associations of ex-convicts which, on paper, provided mutual aid and promoted the cultural activities of their members. In reality, they promoted their members' criminal activities in various ways and acted as professional associations of criminals, which set and enforced rules and provided members with contacts, assistance and status. At least in certain areas, namely prostitution and racketeering, the Ringvereine may also have functioned as criminal organisations with direct involvement in criminal activities. Using data obtained from a systematic analysis of various contemporary newspapers and periodicals, and from a review of secondary sources, primarily comprising journalistic and law enforcement accounts, this study examines their structure, function, geographical scope, membership characteristics and ties to legitimate institutions and highlights major phases and turning points in their history which spans an era from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century. It is argued that the Ringvereine constitute a deviant case in the history of German organised crime, which otherwise has been characterised more by informal and fragmented offender structures embedded in deviant subcultures.

Substance Use, Education, Employment, and Criminal Activity Outcomes of Adolescents in Outpatient Chemical Dependency Programs

Although the primary outcome of interest in clinical evaluations of addiction treatment programs is usually abstinence, participation in these programs can have a wide range of consequences. This study evaluated the effects of treatment initiation on substance use, school attendance, employment, and involvement in criminal activity at 12 months post-admission for 419 adolescents (aged 12 to 18) enrolled in chemical dependency recovery programs in a large managed care health plan. Instrumental variables estimation methods were used to account for unobserved selection into treatment by jointly modeling the likelihood of participation in treatment and the odds of attaining a certain outcome or level of an outcome. Treatment initiation significantly increased the likelihood of attending school, promoted abstinence, and decreased the probability of adolescent employment, but it did not significantly affect participation in criminal activity at the 12-month follow-up. These findings highlight the need to address selection in a non-experimental study and demonstrate the importance of considering multiple outcomes when assessing the effectiveness of adolescent treatment.