Correlates and consequences of pre-incarceration gang involvement among incarcerated youthful felons

ObjectiveThe primary aim of the study is to document the prevalence and variation in types of pre-incarceration gang membership among a sample of incarcerated felons. The second goal is to consider if and how pre-incarceration gang involvement affects institutional behavior.Materials and MethodsThis study builds on the existing literature by considering if and how different types of pre-incarceration gang involvement effect prison misconduct. This relationship is examined while controlling for attitudinal measures and pre-prison social characteristics that may condition entrance into gangs and involvement in serious prison misconduct. The study includes a sample of 504 youthful adults incarcerated in a large Midwestern state in 1996.ResultsThe results highlight that there is a high degree of variation in pre-incarceration gang involvement. Moreover, involvement in different types of gangs also is a significant predictor of prison misconduct. Individuals involved in organized/criminal gangs at the point of incarceration experienced significantly more serious misconduct reports than their non-gang counterparts, but similar findings were not evident for those involved in unorganized gangs.ConclusionsEven among a relatively serious population of youthful adult offenders, pre-incarceration gang involvement is uncommon. Pre-incarceration involvement in organized gangs represents a significant risk factor for prison misconduct.

Research Highlights
► The findings indicate that among youthful incarcerated felons, approximately two thirds report not being part of gangs at the point of incarceration.
► Among the felons reporting gang involvement, half reported being involved in unorganized gangs and the remainder in organized gangs.
► Delinquent peers and delinquent values are significant predictors of pre-incarceration involvement in organized gangs.
► Pre-incarceration involvement in organized gangs is a significant predictor of serious prison misconduct net other risk factors; pre-incarceration involvement in unorganized gangs is not a significant predictor of serious prison misconduct.