The process of growth often takes many years and is characterized by progress interrupted with setbacks. Beneath the most troubled exterior, one can find youth with great potential. This article presents the account of a gang youth and his mentor tracks the rocky pathway from problems to responsible maturity.

Presents a lesson plan for teaching about gangs and the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Includes a handout and discussion questions and identifies sources for further reading. (SG)

This documents consists of a list by state of programs sponsored by the American Bar Association to teach law related education in correctional institutions and other juvenile justice settings. The directory lists 14 programs in institutional schools and diversion programs in 17 states. Under the diversion programs, first time or misdemeanor…

This bibliography is intended to fill the gap of available information on girl-only gangs as a twentieth-century phenomenon of the United States. Although the topic of girl-only gangs has gained national attention and research interest, the paper asserts no girl-only bibliographic tools are available to help locate information on the topic. The…

The concerns highlighted in this report were derived from a questionnaire sent to states and territories and reflect national as well as individual state and regional concerns about juvenile delinquency and crime. Although the wide ranging responses to the questionnaire made it clear that states and territories experience different problems, the…

This book provides overviews and evaluations of current juvenile-gang-intervention programs and recommends approaches that have been effective in both prevention and rehabilitation. Its three parts, composed of individual essays, examine patterns of ganging and gang intervention, explore the value of psychology-based interventions, and discuss the…

This report focuses on the activities of the National Institute of Justice in 1998. It begins by discussing the organization and its financial data. Funding growth and collaborative activities since 1994 are also described. Overviews of basic and applied research, technology development, testing the research and technology, initiatives with other…

Data show that gangs, drugs, and random murders are becoming staples in the lives of U.S. children. Every major U.S. city is facing a deadly gang problem, exemplified by drive-by shootings and teenagers brandishing assault weapons. This document presents witness testimony, prepared statements, and panel discussions that examine the problem of gang…

The increasingly serious nature of juvenile criminal behavior has led to greater efforts to understand the roots, causes, and correlates of juvenile violence and chronic delinquency, as well as develop more effective means of identifying at-risk youth and treating serious and violent juvenile offenders. This book examines the realities and…

This bulletin offers data on recent trends in juvenile violence, juvenile drug offenses, and gang-related juvenile offending, and describes prosecutorial responses to such offenses. Examples of promising prosecutor-led programs combating the illicit use of guns, violence, drugs, and gangs are also provided. These examples provide a range of ideas…

Substantial disagreement exists among professionals in the judiciary and in the public at large as to what the goals of the justice system should be. Some programs and interventions aimed at preventing juvenile violence and delinquency, as well as efforts that rehabilitate young people already in the system, are identified here. The report…

For many decades communities have been troubled by the criminal activities of youth gangs. This report looks at almost 30 years of information collected on gang problems in nearly 4,000 communities. The number of localities reporting gang problems increased between the 1970s and the 1990s, representing a tenfold increase in the number of cities…

Getting tough on youthful offenders has been a 1990s political slogan. Unfortunately, many reforms of the juvenile-justice and education systems fail to foster understanding between those systems' creators and the youth they serve. Viewing these systems through the eyes of several young people confers important lessons. Contains 21 references.…

The literature provides ample evidence of the relationship of substance abuse to crime. Research over the last 20 years has established a strong correlation between substance abuse and juvenile delinquency (held, 1998). Currently, there are more than 350,000 juveniles on probation and in continuing care programs in the U.S. who have substance…

Books in the Opposing Viewpoints Series present debates about current issues that can be used to teach critical reading and thinking skills. The variety of opinions expressed in this collection of articles and book excerpts explore many aspects of juvenile gangs. Some youths join gangs of their own free choice, to satisfy ego or greed. Others are…