GANG ORGANIZATION, GANG CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, AND INDIVIDUAL GANG MEMBERS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR

Objective. The present investigation attempts to assess the relation o f general gang structure and criminal activity to the criminal behavio r of individual gang members. Methods. The analyses derive from respon ses to surveys completed by 373 male juveniles who identified themselv es as gang members prior to incarceration in mostly maximum security c orrectional facilities. Respondents were questioned about the organiza tion of the gangs to which they belonged, about their gangs' involveme nt in carrying firearms, using drugs, selling drugs, robbery, and burg lary, and about their own involvement in these same offenses. Results. Gang- and individual-level criminality generally is specialized. Gang structure is ambiguously associated with the forms of crime gangs com mit but is unrelated to individual members' criminality. Types of gang -level and types of individual-level criminality are related. Conclusi ons. ''Gang'' thus signifies more than the nominal congregation of you th for protective and social purposes.