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ABSTRACT
Most academic literature is based on experiences of gang members in developed countries. This article explores the mechanisms of desistance among street gangs in El Salvador. Gangs in this Central American nation, which include MS-13 and the 18th Street gang, are known for complex structures and their transnational reach. Based on a survey with nearly 1,200 gang members and former gang members in El Salvador and 24 in-depth interviews with former gang members in rehabilitation programs, this study finds that the characteristics of the gang organization play a more significant role in the ways individuals exit the gangs in extremely violent contexts. It also shows that a religious experience is the most frequent mechanism to leave the group because it provides a safer alternative in those contexts.
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Amanda Gurecki for her editorial assistance and comments. A special thanks to Luis Enrique Amaya. We would also like to thank the peer reviewers for their comments.
Correction Statement
This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.
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Notes on contributors
Jonathan D. Rosen
Jonathan D. Rosen is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Holy Family University. He has published 16 books on organized crime and security issues. Previously, he worked as a Research Scientist at Florida International University.
José Miguel Cruz
José Miguel Cruz is Director of Research at the Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University. He is an expert in the area of criminal violence, gangs, police, democratization, and public opinion in Latin America. He has published 60 articles on gangs and security in Latin America.