Mitigating Risk and Magnifying Protection: The Impacts of a Gang Intervention and Exiting Program on Criminogenic Risk Factors

Rates of gang-related violence are high across Canada, with one quarter of homicides in 2022 connected to gangs. Individuals face numerous risk and protective factors which influence the gang disengagement process; addressing these factors is key for successful interventions. The Gang Intervention a...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Wong, Jennifer S. (Author) ; Lee, Chelsey (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Criminal justice and behavior
Year: 2025, Volume: 52, Issue: 12, Pages: 1739-1760
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Risk assessment
Risk Factors
Quantitative methods
Program Evaluation
Gangs
Crime Prevention
Antisocial Behavior
Description
Summary:Rates of gang-related violence are high across Canada, with one quarter of homicides in 2022 connected to gangs. Individuals face numerous risk and protective factors which influence the gang disengagement process; addressing these factors is key for successful interventions. The Gang Intervention and Exiting Program (GIEP) is a holistic case management program operating in British Columbia, Canada, which targets entrenched gang members and high-risk individuals. Using a retrospective, longitudinal, single group design, the current study used generalized estimating equations to examine changes in client risk and protective factors over time. Results indicate several short-term improvements in the areas of employment, substance use behaviors, engagement with prosocial peers and family, decreased association with criminally involved family and peers, and time spent in non-gang-related activities. These findings support the use of a multipronged case management approach using a combination of civilian and law enforcement service providers to encourage gang avoidance and exit.
ISSN:1552-3594
DOI:10.1177/00938548251357778