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July 19, 2007
Justice Policy Institute: New Report on Gang Violence- link to report and related articles
The Justice Policy Institute published a new report today arguing that the billions of dollars spent on traditional gang suppression activities have failed to promote public safety and are often counterproductive.
"Gang Wars: The Failure of Enforcement Tactics and the Need for Effective Public Safety Strategies," by Judith Greene and Kevin Pranis, says that in cities like Los Angeles where gang activity is most prevalent, more police, more prisons and more punitive measures haven’t stopped the cycle of gang violence. The authors say that gangs are responsible for a relatively small share of crime; gang activity has not grown in the U.S.; whites make up a large proportion of gang members; most gang-involved youth quit before reaching adulthood; and heavy-handed suppression tactics can increase gang cohesion while failing to reduce violence.
The report is available online, at http://www.justicepolicy.org/reports_jl/7-10-07_gangs/report.htm and was featured today in a number of news articles:
Report: Anti-Gang Strategy Failing Badly
BY ANDREW GLAZER, Associated Press
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-gang-report,1,2136752.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines
Social Programs to Combat Gangs Seen as More Effective Than Police
Area Officials Advocate Mix of Prevention and Enforcement
By Tom Jackman
Washington Post Staff Writer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/17/AR2007071701716.html
U.S. gang crackdowns called a 'tragic failure'
By Betsy Powell, Crime Reporter
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/237060
Posted by lois at July 19, 2007 01:12 PM