The Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs today announced the release of Gang Prevention: An Overview of Research and Programs, a bulletin from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

The bulletin presents a compilation of current research on gangs, including research findings on the state of gang problems in the United States today, why youth join gangs, the risk factors and attractions that increase youth's propensity to join gangs, and how gangs form.  The authors provide user-friendly tools to help communities assess their gang problems, from which communities can develop a tailored and appropriate action plan.  The bulletin also highlights promising and effective programs for gang prevention.

TITLE:

Gang Prevention: An Overview of Research and Programs

RESEARCHERS:

James C. Howell, Ph.D

National Gang Center (NGC)

PUBLISHER:

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, www.ojjdp.gov

WHERE:

http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/231116.pdf

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims.  OJP has seven components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; the Community Capacity Development Office, and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking.  More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov