Evaluating criminal justice programs designed to reduce crime by targetingrepeat gang offenders

This paper suggests that a theory-driven approach be taken in the evaluatio n of gang crime reduction programs. The rationale for selecting this approa ch and an example of this type of evaluation are presented. The gang progra m evaluated involved close collaboration among law enforcement, probation, and prosecution toward incarcerating repeat gang offenders. Data were colle cted concerning incarceration and subsequent crime over a seven-year period . Trend analysis indicated a strong relationship between incarceration and gang crime trends, and an overall reduction of 47% in gang crime. It is sug gested that policy makers and researchers consider replicating this model t o further test its effects, Practical and methodological aspects of evaluat ing gang crime reduction programs are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.