Gang-Membership

The issue of psychopathology among gang populations is controversial. Building off an interdisciplinary theoretical basis that adapts a tripartite theoretical model (i.e., selection, facilitation, and enhancement) on the gang membership-offending link (Thornberry et al. 1993) to the mixed positions on the gang membership-psychopathic traits relationship, this study tests selection and facilitation models.

Gang membership has a robust relationship with crime and violence, leading scholars to take an interest in examining the sources of gang joining.

A top priority of prison authorities is maintaining a safe and orderly institutional environment. Gangs are believed to impede this objective, warranting bespoke policies and practices.

The National Death Index (NDI), a comprehensive and well-established database compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics, is an untapped source of homicide data that offers identifiable linkages to other data sources while retaining national coverage.

Reentry experiences for the 600,000 people released annually from federal and state prisons differ vastly. We contend that gangs, which rose to prominence alongside mass incarceration, are an overlooked source of variation in reentry experiences.