Gangs and Organized Crime

Organized criminal entities include street gangs as well as international organized crime networks. These groups are involved in a variety of illegal activities, such as gun violence, human trafficking and intellectual property theft.

NIJ is interested in understanding the impact, organization and activities of gangs and organized crime rings and how the criminal justice system addresses them. For example, NIJ-funded projects have recommended strategies for targeting organized crime, described its links to terrorism, and implemented evidence-based practices for preventing violence by organized groups.

NIJ's International Center studies transnational organized crime, among other types of international illicit activity.