Desistance within an urban Aboriginal gang

Abstract

The research presented in this paper is related to an ongoing program in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada involving members of an urban Aboriginal street gang. Gang members recently released from prison have for a variety of reasons become interested in leaving behind the criminal part of their gang involvement, and developing lifestyles less likely to bring them into conflict with the law. For the men in this study, desistance from crime did not necessarily mean a departure from the gang itself. Rather, they see themselves as having taken a conscious decision not to be involved in criminal activity, but not to leave the gang. The scheme works with them on learning carpentry skills as part of an urban housing renovation project. A major part of the program is the encouragement of pro-social values through traditional Aboriginal cultural teachings. Use of the `gang' ethic builds teamwork and commitment not to reoffend among members.