Gangs and their relevance to criminology studies and society 275

Drug related activities 550

Urban street gangs are more immersed into criminal activities as they are more exposed

to sources of illicit opportunities in urban communities.

Recruitment Process 550

Inside of prison

Recruiting prisoners with criminal records and charges related to drug trafficking

Taking advantage of peer pressure

Outside of Prison

Hostile treatment of police of accusing young people with tattoos as members of bikie

gangs results into the development of grief among the said young people towards the cops, which

consequently causes them to actually join bikie groups (Paddenburg, 2014). According to the

narratives of young individuals who decided to join the gangs, the harassment by the police

which included unwarranted raids, violence and discrimination, resulted into the loss of their

jobs, friends as well as their reputation and pushed them to seek retribution by joining the gang

together with individuals with similar unpleasant experience (Paddenburg, 2014).

Establishing international Connections 550

Globalization facilitated the proliferation of gang culture as well as their worldwide

operations. The increased mobility of gang members across countries gave rise to the spread of

their culture (Papachristos, 2005). The fast spread of information through the cyberspace made it

easier to communicate gang ideologies activities and identities across territorial boundaries. This

further resulted into the emergence of global connections among gangs which established

stronger ties between and among different gangs in different countries.

Spread of gang culture as a result of immigration cite example of inefficient deportation

policies of US

Conclusion 275

Factors affecting their operations

Ineffective police tactics

Hostility on youth

Ineffective prison management

Uncontrollable spread of culture