NCJ Number
142685
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This parole model for youth gang members provides an appropriate mix of suppression and intervention programming to reduce the parole problems that their gang membership can cause.
Abstract
In deciding how to intervene with paroled gang members, distinctions should be based on the scope and character of criminal activities of the gang to which they are affiliated, gang member role, the youth's age, and the resource base of the parole agency. Five strategies available to the parole officer for dealing with the youth gang problem are community mobilization, social intervention, opportunities provision, suppression, and organizational development. Community mobilization requires that parole agencies solicit and coordinate community resources relevant to the targeting of youth gang crime. Opportunities provision refers to education and job-related experiences as the primary means for youth gang parolees to achieve legitimate status and success. Social intervention strategies emphasize social and emotional support activities, including counseling, informal educational and values change, drug treatment, social and mental health referral, and other activities that promote normative social and economic behavior. Suppression involves supervision, investigation, and the enforcement of parole conditions. Organizational development encompasses staff selection and training as well as research and evaluation. Some examples of parole programs for youth gang members are described.
Date Published: January 1, 1990