It has several noteworthy features.  First, many violent offenders were incarcerated as part of a major crackdown in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  Many of these inmates are being released in increasing numbers – some on probation and/or parole, and some under no form of supervision.  Current state budget crises are exacerbating the problem, as state prisons release inmates to address budgetary pressures.  Second, there still remains a significant teenaged offender population.  Finally, there is a rising tide of younger offenders between the ages of 8 and 14 who tend to be more violent than their predecessors.  

What is particularly distressing is the fact that each successive generation of criminals is learning from the previous one.  Those who served time in the 1980s and 1990s are role models for teenage offenders, who in turn are “training” the elementary and middle school aged offenders.  

The picture that may emerge is particularly disturbing in that it resembles that of the state of California, which can be characterized as having a pervasive, persistent, and deeply rooted gangs and criminal culture that affects even those who are not directly affiliated with gangs.  Policymakers, analysts, and others had no historical precedent for what the state faced.  Other areas such as Chicago faced similar circumstances.

Of course many programs have arisen in response to the challenge and a high number of them do excellent work in reaching out to the gang population and providing prevention, intervention and monitoring services.  In many instances, these programs are staffed by ex-offenders who work under others.  What is lacking is an ex-offender-led initiative that carries out training, consulting, program design and delivery for organizations working with gang and criminal populations.

An Approach
To begin to fill the gap in program design and delivery, a National Gang Council (NGC) is proposed.  The core would be pulled from fully rehabilitated, trained ex-offenders who understand the culture of violence and gangs.  These actors will use their expertise to build the capacity of various organizations (faith-based, community-based, correctional, schools, etc.) to be more effective in designing and delivering programs that address gangs and criminality.  What makes NGC unique is the fact that they have relationships and trust built with criminals and gang members.  “Street creed” is usually an indispensable ingredient in being able to penetrate the street culture that spawns violent crime.  Moreover, because its members are fully rehabilitated, they have extensive experience working with law enforcement, clergy and community-based organizations. NGC is the only institution of its kind – led by ex-offenders.   As such, the Council is able to distil its views, skills and expertise unfiltered by layers of institutional bureaucracy that are, understandably, nervous about letting ex-offenders take a leading role in addressing crime committed by their former peers.