Laura Dunbar, PhD Student Department of Criminology 34th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice 21st Century Justice: The Economics of Public Safety October 4, 2013 Developing a Comprehensive Strategy to Address Youth Gangs: A Shift in Thinking and Approach

Current Situation Youth gangs are considered an important feature of contemporary Canadian society. Gangs and their members are increasingly presented as a serious problem – recent high-profile gang-related homicides, continued focus on crime and interventions, and criminal justice policy reforms. Affiliation is associated with a number of negative events and outcomes; even short-term involvement can have long-term effects. Importance of defining the ‘gang’ – public perceptions, criminal justice policies and justification for intervention driven by perception and understanding of the issue. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

A Shift in Thinking about Youth Gangs Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Defining the ‘Gang’ Little consensus on a definition; however several general criteria have been established. Youth gangs are often treated as: –A group of individuals who engage in criminal activity (a social problem). –A group of individuals with negative personal attributes (individual defect). Youth gangs may also represent collective solutions to the shared problems experienced by their members. Problem-solving behaviour (a choice) and not just a symptom of a condition. –Must balance focus on deficits with attention to strengths/resilience. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Joining a Gang Functional nature of gang membership – gangs exist because they serve a purpose. Individuals join for a myriad of reasons: –Concerns about personal safety and security. –Access to resources and power and source of entertainment. –Source of emotional support and a sense of belonging. –Poor bonds to conventional society – lack of attachment to others and institutions. –Attractive to those facing difficult social and economic conditions. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Leaving a Gang Process is seldom rapid and not necessarily permanent; gradual series of steps and commitments. –‘Knifing off’ and cognitive change. Temporary nature of gang membership – importance of aging and maturation. Increasing stake in conformity – marriage, family, employment. Reappraising costs and benefits – experience with violence and limit to tolerance. Bonds and attachments to conventional people and activities – discourage gang involvement. Regardless of reasons for leaving, individuals must be ready in order to be successful. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Barriers and Obstacles Internal –Fear of leaving the gang (perceptions of violence). –Loss of gang benefits (social support, sense of belonging). External –Inequality (ability to acquire education, marketable skills and meaningful employment). –Exclusion (social barriers including ‘gang’ label, perceptions, stigma of membership). Under these conditions: limited opportunities outside the gang; leaving may be perceived as ‘not worth the effort’. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

A Shift in Approach to Addressing Youth Gangs Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Defining and Measuring ‘Success’ Insertion –Focus on reducing the risk that the youth will return to the gang (recidivism). –Interventions: increase the willingness and ability of the youth to exercise greater self control or impose greater levels of external control on the youth. Integration –Focus on providing the youth with a sense of well- being and of hope. –Interventions: provide skills and resources needed to improve progress on social determinants of health. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Targets for Intervention INDIVIDUALRELATIONALCOMMUNITYSTRUCTURAL COGNITIVE SKILLS SELF-CONTROL impulsivity, aggression, risk-taking SELF-CONCEPT well-being FAMILY PARENTING EDUCATION PEERS pro-social vs. anti-social SOCIAL ORGANIZATION SCHOOLS OPPORTUNITY crime, drugs and weapons COLLECTIVE EFFICACY INEQUALITY & EXCLUSION objective and subjective OPPORTUNITY STRUCTURES a sense of hope (Hastings & Dunbar, 2012) Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Multi-Sectoral Collaboration Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Current Interventions Law Enforcement / Suppression –Most common response; somewhat effective in the short term, however no lasting impact on gang involvement. –May lead to unintended consequences and counter- productive impacts; hamper process of desistance. Human Capital Development –Increase basic capacities, skills and propensities to help youth shift life trajectories – pro-social lifestyle. –Individual counselling, cognitive-behavioural development, access to education, employment skills and training opportunities. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Current Interventions Mechanisms of Social Support –Facilitate new sources of social support – meet needs for belonging and socialization, sustain positive efforts. –Strengthen family bonds, develop positive peer relationships, identify a support network. Social Capital Development –Develop relationships and networks that generate opportunities for gang-involved youth. –Comprehensive community-based initiatives – coordinated action, emphasis on integration, initiatives that provide youth with a sense of ‘hope’. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Toward a Comprehensive Strategy We must move beyond interventions that focus on the characteristics and ‘risk factors’ of individual gang members and to take a more ‘social approach’ to the issue of youth gangs. We must examine gangs in a broader social context by addressing the link between individual life experiences and social and economic inequalities. We must respond adequately to the complexities of the issue; complex problem requires a complex solution. Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice

Laura Dunbar, October 4, th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice ECONOMY & WELFARE: government and private sector job opportunities; housing; addictions; mental health willingness and ability to include formerly gang-involved youth poverty reduction; social housing; equal employment CRIMINAL JUSTICE: police, courts and corrections monitor; supervise; suppression remove youth from police databases; reduce opportunities for crime, drugs and weapons legislation and policy; criminal justice practices COMMUNITY provide youth with safe place to go re-integration rituals; concrete privileges inclusion; social organization; collective efficacy EDUCATION GED; skills training; curriculum-based programming graduation ceremonies; certificates access to education; scholarships SUPPORT SERVICES: family and peers develop healthy, positive relationships family support; parenting skills; peer mentoring social support; sense of belonging YOUTH SERVICES counselling; cognitive behavioural development; aggression management reframing personal identity legitimate alternatives to address benefits of membership Individual Context: Cognitive Development / Risk Management Relational & Community Context: De-Labelling / Criminal Opportunities Structural Context: Barriers, Obstacles / Opportunity Structures

Contact Information: Laura Dunbar, PhD Student Department of Criminology Thank You