International Journal on Criminology Volume 6, Number 1, Spring 2018 | Page 49

International Journal on Criminology
based on personal bonds, man to man, that induce a system whose form resembles
that of a galaxy. This organization is based on:
• the fascination with its “success,” which determines the attraction exerted
by the ringleader, i.e. the central nucleus, and which explains the gravitation
of affiliates toward him;
• the degree of involvement of the affiliate and the time he spends with the
group, which will indicate his place with respect to the center, to power
and with regard to the others;
• the permanence and the sacred nature of the link between the affiliate and
the gang: 9 entry is obtained through the shedding of blood, and an individual
does not leave without blood being shed—his own.
Adherence to and the durability of the model can therefore be explained by
the attraction exerted by the seemingly easy life of those who have “succeeded.”
People are fascinated by them, though fear them greatly. These successful people
become models for what others want to gain possession of, what they believe to be
two important keys in life: money and power. 10
The logic of the gang—money and power—is simple but effective; it is undoubtedly
for this reason that it replicates itself over time and in different places.
This gang lifestyle also establishes a specific relationship with prison, which
becomes a school for criminals and the obligatory crossing point for all affiliates
who wish to progress. This is a long way from what we refer to as a “reoffender”
and the logics for combatting this.
All too frequently, the way that the media presents the phenomenon is false,
since it is not “young people” who kill each other with Kalashnikovs and who subsequently
burn cars in which corpses are found. Rather it is the thugs and gangsters
who settle their scores with their usual means of bargaining: weapons.
For years, people have refused to consider this criminal feudalism 11 because,
more than anything else, it calls into question the lenient dogmas and the
police efforts to quell violence,” Chicago Tribune, July 29, 2016, http://www.chicagotribune.com/
news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-violence-gangs-20160728-story.html.
9 Commonly referred to as “Blood in, blood out.”
10 This is clearly a mere façade that relies on the group effect, on reputation and respect, and which
quickly gives way to solitude and adversity. Yet it manages to delude weak minds and the subservient
communities of the housing estates.
11 With the recent exception of the national gendarmerie, which, in its preparatory works for the
2015 SIRASCO [Service d’information, de renseignement et d’analyse stratégique sur la criminalité
organisée - Information service, intelligences, and strategic analysis of organised crime] report,
mentioned: “[. . .] Level 4: permanent presence of highly structured criminal organizations, availing
of a hierarchy and of significant means, dominating a territory and/or developing multiple criminal
activities, making investments (laundering) in France or abroad and presenting a risk (or an example)
of a mafia-style phenomenon.” According to the gendarmerie, the “gangs of deprived housing
estates are classed at this level ‘4’ in the majority of cases.”
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