Citation

Howell JCB, Braun MJF, Bellatty P. J. Crime Justice 2017; 40(3): 358-375.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Midwestern Criminal Justice Association, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/0735648X.2017.1329836

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article presents findings from an exploration of the prospects of applying an empirically supported developmental life-course model of gang involvement to a juvenile justice setting. Our research strategy utilizes risk data from systems that precede or 'feed' criminal justice involvement (e.g., child welfare, family welfare, alcohol and drug treatment, mental health treatment, medical assistance programs, and education) to predict gang joining among 3072 youth placed on probation or committed to incarceration in Oregon. The research process entailed mining proximal indicators of risk factors for gang joining that research has identified in the individual, family, school, peer group, and community sectors of young offenders' lives. A multivariate analysis was carried out to isolate the strongest predictors of gang joining. The analysis explores the practical utility of the Howell and Egley life-course model of gang involvement (from preschool to mid-adolescence), in everyday juvenile justice system practice in a statewide setting. Given our findings, this research could be used to help target delinquency prevention and intervention programs and services, with encouraging prospects for preventing and reducing gang involvement.

Language: en