Gangs and Spirituality Global Perspectives [Hardcover]

This book examines the role of religion and spirituality in desistance from crime and disengagement from gangs. Drawing upon in-depth interviews with male gang members and offenders as well as insights gathered from pastors, chaplains, coaches and personal mentors, the testimonials span three continents, focusing on the USA, Scotland, Denmark and Hong Kong. This volume offers unique empirical findings about the role that religion and spirituality can play in enabling some male gang members and offenders to transition into a new social sphere characterised by the presence of substitute forms of brotherhood and trust, and alternative forms of masculine status. The author presents critical insights into the potential relationship between religious and spiritual participation and the emergence of coping strategies to deal with the stigmata that gang masculinity leaves behind. With its wide-ranging and multi-perspective approach, this book will be essential reading for students and scholars of gang culture, masculinity and spirituality, as well as policy makers and practitioners. 

Chapter 1. Introduction: Gangs in Global Perspective.- PART I. Gangs, Masculinity and Spirituality: Existing Theories and Insights.- Chapter 2. Gang Members 'Doing Masculinity'.- Chapter 3. Religious and Spiritual Desistance from Gangs.- PART II. Los Angeles, USA: From Gangs and Guns to Love and Compassion.- Chapter 4. Amplified Masculinity among Los Angeles Homeboys.- Chapter 5. Love, Compassion and Therapeutic Communities in Homeboy Industries.- PART III. Scotland and Denmark: From Violence, Offending and Prison Life to Religiosity, Yoga and Breathing.- Chapter 6. Masculinity, Morality and Offending in Scotland and Denmark.- Chapter 7. Support in Times of Trouble: Chaplaincy in Scottish and Danish Prisons.- Chapter 8. 'Warriors' to 'Peacemakers': Yoga, breathing and Meditation in Denmark.- PART IV: Hong Kong: From Triad-Affiliated Gangsters to Cl³<