Scott H. Decker

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Dancing with danger. West Side Story/Amblin

‘West Side Story’ may be timeless – but life in gangs today differs drastically from when the Jets and Sharks ruled the streets

David Pyrooz, University of Colorado Boulder; James Densley, Metropolitan State University , and Scott H. Decker, Arizona State University

Gangs have changed in the decades since ‘West Side Story’ first came out – they are deadlier, and their demographics are different – as are the means law enforcement use to control them.
A ministry program student at a Texas prison. Some inmates cite religion to avoid gang recruitment. Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images

We spoke to hundreds of prison gang members – here’s what they said about life behind bars

David Pyrooz, University of Colorado Boulder and Scott H. Decker, Arizona State University

Gangs are still a significant reality in US prisons. But most inmates say that their power has been watered down, and they no longer rule facilities with an iron fist.
A suspected member of the Crips gang is cuffed in LA. Jonathan Alcorn/REUTERS

When gang violence goes viral

Scott H. Decker, Arizona State University; David Pyrooz, University of Colorado Boulder, and Richard K Moule Jr, Arizona State University

Online threats can quickly lead to real-life shootings.

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