Arrest and the Amplification of Deviance: Does Gang Membership Moderate the Relationship?. (29th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wiley, Stephanie A.; Carson, Dena C.; Esbensen, Finn-Aage
• Is Part Of: Justice quarterly. Volume 34:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 788
• Page End: 817
• Publication Date: 2017-07-29
• Subjects: gang membership -- arrest -- deviance amplification -- gang suppression; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 340.11405
• DOI: 10.1080/07418825.2016.1226936
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-8825

Abstract

Abstract : Although research has found that gang suppression efforts are largely ineffective, these policies have been responsible for the arrests of many gang youth. Prior research indicates that arrest is associated with deleterious consequences, but we know less about how arrest uniquely affects gang members. Using longitudinal data from a school-based sample, this study explores the effects of arrest for both gang and nongang youth. Propensity score matching and matched outcome analyses allow us to determine whether gang membership moderates the effect of arrest on later deviant outcomes. Our results indicate that the consequences of arrest are inconsistent with the goals of suppression tactics, with gang members reporting little to no change in deviant attitudes and peers and modest increases in delinquency. Meanwhile, nongang youth experience a range of consequences associated with arrest, including increased odds of gang-joining.