NCJ Number
181102
Date Published
1999
Length
177 pages
Annotation
This report examines gang life and the spread of gang activity in the State of Minnesota.
Abstract
The report claims that “prescription without diagnosis is malpractice” and many approaches to curbing gang violence fail because they are not based on a clear picture of what gang life really is. Interviews with 103 Minnesota gang members revealed many reasons for joining a gang, including lack of an active nurturing male in their lives; physically or emotionally unavailable or ineffective parents; and racist treatment by others. The gang supplied safety and security, love and belonging, power and respect, freedom and choices, and fun. Gangs are migrating from the metropolitan area to the suburbs and outstate Minnesota, and are continuing to migrate from other States into all areas of Minnesota. Anti-gang efforts must include prevention, intervention, and suppression, which may include: (1) Resource Center for parents, professionals and community members; (2) parenting and prevention programming with emphasis on culture-specific programming that encourages ethnic pride, gender-specific programming and restorative justice/medication/conflict resolution programming; and (3) gang intervention programming (outline included). Notes, table, figure, bibliography, appendixes