The 1996 survey collected data from 85 correctional facilities in 17 States. It targeted 10,166 confined offenders, of whom 3,500 were self-reported gang members. This report focuses on the subsample in the survey of those who reported having joined an Asian gang (n=89). The survey consisted of 98 questions in 10 areas: Personal Background; Family Background; Beliefs and Attitude; Social Condition; Gang Joining; Gang Quitting; Gang Organization; Gang Activity; Correctional Life; and Crime and Punishment. Results of the 1996 survey demonstrate that: (1) social environmental factors such as schools, neighborhood, families, perceived job opportunities and social opportunities significantly affect one's gang affiliation; (2) peer pressure, money and protection are the three major reasons for an Asian youth to join a gang; and (3) the majority of Asian gang members surveyed did not become hardened criminals; they retained faith in religion and the social system and could quit the gang if they wanted to. References