Violent crime is sometimes associated with gangs. The criminal justice system takes a tough stance against gang activity because of the negative connation that comes with them. Even on a federal level, there are tasks forces to help combat gang activity. These work in conjunction with some other government agencies throughout the United States and into other countries.
The goal of these tasks forces is to help curb these dangerous activities. To do this, they will sometimes have to arrest people. Being charged with a crime that is related to a gang violence means that you are embarking on a long journey through the criminal justice system.
What many people don’t realize is that simply putting someone involved in gangs behind bars isn’t going to help the issue. The jails and prisons in this country are full of gang members. Instead, there are other ways to work with these individuals to change their thinking so that they can become productive members of society. This doesn’t mean that they won’t face criminal penalties. It simply means that there needs to be a multifaceted approach to the issue.
One option that might be beneficial is cognitive behavioral therapy that helps participants to find ways to slow down their gut reactions and think about consequences. There has been some success with the program of this type in the Cook County Sheriff’s Office’s jail system in Chicago. While the program isn’t changing every participant, there has been some improvement in many of them. Other cities that have used similar programs have also had some success.
For people who are facing gang-related charges, finding out their options for handling those charges might be beneficial. The ultimate goal should be to minimize the penalties, so the person has a chance to succeed at life when the sentence is completed.
