Criminal Groups and Networks Chapter 9

Group Work 1. Describe the psychosocial context of criminal groups. Which factors and circumstances encourage “gangs” or groups to develop? 2. Has too much been made of gang/group violence? Is it overstated, and blown out of proportion by sensational crimes? OR 3. Is the gang problem out of control, with police unable to protect people from crime?

Definitions of a Gang/Group Are groups of youth who loiter on a street corner or at a shopping center a gang? Are groups who get into occasional fistfights gangs? Are groups who steal or vandalize a gang? If they use guns are they a gang? What if they use sticks and bats?

Definitions of a Gang/Group  “gang” can be misleading way of describing different kinds of gatherings of young people (criminal stereotype and exaggerated media images that both foster & play into already existing stereotypes)  White; black; Asian; Native…………  Most primarily male; some female  They are from lower class communities, middle class communities & upper class communities

Learning to commit crime Importance of social psychological perspective:  Leaned from others  Accept standards, morals & norms (counter-culture)  More likely when benevolent & authoritative units of socialization (family) are dysfunctional or unavailable  Salience of social identity  In-group vs out-group attitudes  Internalize group values

Social Facilitation  Influence of others with regular social interactions  Risk or protective factors?  Recruitment, making ‘contacts’, sharing of information, planning  Criminal ideologies

Criminal Identity  Identity or self-concept  Influenced by social group  In-group  Adolescence – explore alternative value systems  Adulthood – change social group; legitimate groups & work vs. deviant life style  Label & self-fulfilling prophecy  Acceptance & support

Violent Crowd Behaviour  Deindividuation (traditional explanation)  Depersonalization (newer explanation)

Careers, Roles and Narratives ‘Career’ – life course criminal Role or status level? Self-defining; what a person does becomes who they are Activity 9.1

Group Processes  Co-offending situations  Transient groups vs. established teams  Mechanisms of control (conformity & leadership)  Processes of social influence  Conformity & leadership  Role differentiation & division of labour  Situational demands

Social Psychology & the CJS  The Crime  How do we organize investigations?  Judgements and priorities  The Police and the Public  In-group/out-group attitudes  The Court  Players interact in accordance with assigned roles (& values & expectations)

AND NOW More stuff that is not in the book………

Underreporting Would you report? Why or why not?

Most don’t because of: FEAR

Characteristics of Gang/Group Violence Larger, more cohesive & well-structured gangs of older adolescents & adults (male dominated) Most street crimes committed by youth is shocking & disturbing (e.g., Reena Virk) Most younger gang/groups not well organized & often impulsive (more ‘pack’-like = more dangerous & volatile) Increasing availability of weapons Much violence is between groups themselves

Characteristics of Gang/Group Violence Evolving nature of Canadian society – many different ethnicities in same neighbourhoods Young females more involved in gang- related activity, assaults & robberies; using more weapons (knives); more extreme & violent?

Understanding Gang/Groups Numerous theories include:  Peer pressure, diffusion of responsibility, support & a feeling of solidarity, need to take risks; boredom; attraction of monetary & psychological rewards  Social learning (what they see on tv, among peers, in their home)  Result of alienation, lack of opportunity or response to poverty; academic failure, abuse How do we explain majority of gang/group members involve middle class youth – as victims & perpetrators?

Understanding Gang/Groups There does not appear to be a single risk factor or set of factors that are predictive of gang membership and/or gang/group violence.  Societal aspects  Community aspects  Family aspects  School aspects  Peers  Individual characteristics

Understanding Gang/Groups B.C. provincial correctional centres files (41) analyzed as part of general census of youth and adult facilities; interviewed 25 inmates  Majority were 25 years or younger, male, and members of one of the 11 gangs  First contact with gang at young age (via close relative or friend)  Joined gang gradually because of rewards; boredom; offered some excitement  ‘It made me feel proud’, ‘I felt more powerful, I had nothing else to do and I had more friends if I joined’, ‘It felt good, I felt protected’ (source: Gordon – dissertation, 1994)

Communities and Subcultures Gangs offer members something they are missing High rates of social interaction within the gang Group interaction produces a system of mutual obligations essential to group cohesion Can be highly organized Criminal groups: groups of friends that get together with the motive of committing a crime Street gangs: combined youth and adults who form semi-organized groups for purpose of profit; identify themselves through dress and using a street name

The Role of Street Gangs in Organized Crime Organized crime groups may seek out street gangs to carry out various criminal acts (e.g., drug running)  Provide a buffer between organized crime group & law enforcement  May be recruited to join organized crime groups Common characteristic of street gang members is live in one geographic area (within a few blocks of each other) Street gangs may commit violence against rival gangs & be territorial

Prevention of Gang/Group Violence Key factors in deterring crime is imagined chance of arrest, conviction, & punishment Legal Approaches (‘get tough approach’ won’t solve problem – we need more) Community Approaches  Joint effort  Recognize growing problem of racial tensions in gang/group conflicts  Education, education, education