Citation

Freng A, Davis T, McCord K, Roussell A. J. Contemp. Crim. Justice 2012; 28(4): 446-464.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1043986212458193

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Gangs remain a problem across the country. American Indian communities started to see increased gang activity in the 1990s. Despite this, there is little information on American Indian gangs in the literature. This article provides an overview of the characteristics of American Indian gang members and gangs from a Western American Indian reservation community. Utilizing survey responses from 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, the authors explore the characteristics of American Indian gangs, the members who belong to these groups, and the risk factors that differentiate those individuals who become involved in gangs in tribal communities from youth who do not. This study contributes to the overall understanding of gangs and provides additional knowledge regarding American Indian gangs to help target law enforcement, prevention, and intervention services. KW: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency;

Language: en