Peer groups, street gangs and organised crime in the narratives of adolescent male offenders
Journal of Criminal Psychology
ISSN: 2009-3829
Article publication date: 22 September 2020
Issue publication date: 30 November 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how young people who offend with others define delinquent and criminal groups and consider the social risk factors associated with gang membership and criminal exploitation.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consisted of 15 young people who were purposively sampled from a group of 14- to 17-year-old males who had been identified as at risk of gang involvement and referred to a community-based programme. Using a social identity framework, a thematic analysis was undertaken to investigate how the participants viewed their role in offending as part of a group.
Findings
The participants identified peer groups, street gangs and the involvement of adult criminals as distinct categories of offending groups. Unlike prior models for gang involvement, some members of the sample were involved in multiple groups to perform different categories of crime. Importantly, participants displayed an awareness of exploitation and described successful exit strategies from criminal groups.
Research limitations/implications
Understanding how young people who are involved in delinquent behaviour and offending define gang and group offending.
Practical implications
The implications for gang and group offending prevention and intervention programmes are discussed.
Originality/value
The literature on child criminal exploitation and UK drug markets is in its infancy. This paper offers further evidence for the processes of joining and leaving delinquent and criminal groups.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the organisation who facilitated this research, which cannot be name in order to protect the identity of the young people. We are also grateful to our participants for sharing their experiences and insight. The research was funded by an internal grant from Edge Hill University, which was awarded on the basis of the original research design and proposal. No further involvement occurred during the research process or writeup.
Funding: The Research was funded by Edge Hill University Research Innovation Funding.
Citation
Ashton, S.-A. and Bussu, A. (2020), "Peer groups, street gangs and organised crime in the narratives of adolescent male offenders", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 277-292. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-06-2020-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited