This study compared gang members with non gang members from a sample of incarcerated young men (n = 73). The results evidenced that gang members report more mental health symptoms, more external behavior problems--including delinquency and self destructiveness--and thought problems than non gang members. Gang members also reported more antisocial criminality 12 months before incarceration. When mental health symptoms were statistically controlled, gang members were indistinguishable from non gang members on all variables except for antisocial behaviors. The results suggest the importance of mental health services in a release plan, but that such services are unlikely to effect antisocial criminality.
Keywords: Juvenile justice
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