Achieving Wellbeing and Prosocial Transformation Through Social Mobilisation: An Evaluation of a Gang Empowerment Strategy

  • Michael Roguski Kaitiaki Research and Evaluation Ltd.
Keywords: adult gangs, maturation, evaluation, social mobilisation, ethnography, empowerment.

Abstract

Adult gangs hold a criminalised and deviantised position in Aoteaora/New Zealand.  Further, a host of strategies have been enacted to remove or obliterate the ‘gang problem’.  These strategies’ lack of efficacy can be attributed to the imposition deficit-based criminogenic constructions on populations that are misunderstood and continually othered.  The current study documents an evaluation of a gang-driven social mobilisation initiative.  Identified outcomes are linked to the rejection of deficit and criminogenic epistemology in favour of a holistic appreciation of the socio-historical self.  Criminogenic strategies have been found to entrench gang membership.  In contrast, a holistic appreciation provides a foundation for social mobilisation where the membership is best placed to respond to their own needs.

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Published
2019-10-22
How to Cite
Roguski, M. (2019). Achieving Wellbeing and Prosocial Transformation Through Social Mobilisation: An Evaluation of a Gang Empowerment Strategy. Decolonization of Criminology and Justice, 1(1), 78-105. https://doi.org/10.24135/dcj.v1i1.7