Jerome Skolnick identified two types of criminal gangs. Cultural gangs who are based in particular neighborhoods and may be actively involved in a number of different criminal activities and entrepreneurial gangs who exist for the sole purpose of gaining wealth by employing the use of criminal activities such as the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of illegal narcotics. (Abadinsky, 2004)

Groups such as the “Gangster Disciples” a gang based in a neighborhood in Chicago fit the bill as cultural gangs. The Gangster Disciples have one primary cultural background, and although they have expanded their operations into other localities, their roots are still neighborhood based.

Other groups that may be transient in nature, such as motorcycle gangs may still qualify as cultural based, because they share a common bond and do not exist for the sole purpose of a criminal enterprise, but may in fact be engaged in some criminal activity.

Groups such as the drug cartels of South America qualify as entrepreneurial gangs. The cartels are global and exist for the sole purpose of generating income from illegal activities. They don’t share a common bond or cultural heritage despite the fact they may be rooted in one particular region.

References
Abadinsky, Howard. (2004). Organized Crime. Belmont, California: Thomson Wadsworth.

APA Citation:
Smith, Nathan. M. (2006). Skolnick’s Gang Types.
Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.computer-forensic-technician.com/wordpress/skolnicks-gang-types/.