U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Youth Gang Problems in Juvenile Detention and Corrections Facilities

NCJ Number
172405
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1997) Pages: 53-61
Author(s)
J C Howell; D W Roush
Date Published
1997
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The increasing problems of youth gangs in the communities and in juvenile detention and correctional facilities are examined, with emphasis on the findings of current gang research and their implications for the development of model programs in these facilities.
Abstract
The number of cities with youth gang problems has increased from an estimated 286 with more than 2,000 gangs and nearly 100,000 members in 1980 to more than 2,000 cities, towns, and counties with more than 25,000 gangs and more than 650,000 members in 1995. Recent research reveals that youth gangs are criminogenic. They are linked to violence, guns, and drugs. The main concerns about youth gang members in detention and correctional facilities are that they will engage in violent behaviors that threaten the safety of residents and staff, undermine programs, compromise institutional security, and jeopardize public safety. The systematic use of risk and needs assessments is crucial to addressing the issues raised by these youth. Recent analyses have noted only two promising programs for dealing with youth gang members in juvenile facilities. The three action objectives needed to improve juvenile justice system management and rehabilitation of gang-involved youth are (1) an assessment of the nature and extent of youth gang problems in detention centers and correctional facilities, (2) the development of risk and needs assessment instruments that include an assessment of youth gang involvement, and (3) the collection of information useful in designing model gang-related program components in juvenile facilities. Training is an appropriate means of disseminating the findings. 45 references