Organized_Crime

To compare efficiently and compare theories developed by Sutherland or Merton in regard to John Gotti; there will be a concise description of John Gotti and incorporate the theories of Sutherland and Merton. This paper will also talk about the two gangs well-known by Jerome Skolnick and his colleagues, focusing on the Gangster Disciples. John Gotti, born in the Bronx on October 27, 1940, was the Boss of the New York City Gambino crime family. He was known for his outspoken personality and flamboyant style, resulting in the nickname, "The Dapper Don." In 1992, Gotti was convicted of 13 murders and various other charges and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. John Gotti remained in jail until June 10, 2002, when he died in the federal prison hospital from complications with head and neck cancer. “According to Sutherland (1973), all behavior – lawful and criminal is –learned. The principal part of learning occurs within intimate personal groups. What is learned depends on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the association.” When one looks at this theory, it seems to be very valid because behaviors are mimicked. Looking at a child, a child learns from his or her parents, teachers, and surroundings. If a child is taught to read or pray at an early age this becomes a part of whom the child will become later in life because these behaviors have been instilled in the child. I would agree with the theory of Sutherland that behaviors are learned. During the research on Gotti the information did not show in which there were any positive influences in Gotti’s life. At a young age Gotti’s life was unstable because of the frequent moves of the family, and one can only imagine that settling in an area incorporated with youth gang activity did not assist Gotti in securing the correct values in his life. Due to the association within the gang community Gotti sought out to belong, and one can only imagine that the gang members were only too willing to accept Gotti and to make sure he was well versed in what to do as a member of a gang. This writer believes that Gotti was a fast learner because he advanced in the ranks at a young age Gotti did not have to become a mob boss. At a young age Gotti was mentored into a life of crime so he continued this behavior as he grew older. Crime was so imbedded in him until he thought he could do nothing else. This negative association taught him how to steal, cheat, and to kill with no remorse. Although Gotti tried his hand at legitimate employment for the sake of his family, one can only imagine this was not satisfying because he did not receive the prestige he did as a criminal. The criminal association was all he knew so it was easier to do what was learned than to try to make an honest living and to make less than what was made as a criminal. Merton, on the other hand, contends that, “organized crime is a normal response to pressures exerted on certain persons by the social structure” (Abadinsky, p. 17). Merton also has a point to his theory as well. Looking at the social structure in which Gotti was surrounded in, one could honestly say the pressure was overwhelming to a young man who was trying to find his way and with the assistance of gang members being readily available to mentor a young man the pressure could be overwhelming. The fact Gotti was the fifth of 13 children, one can only come to the conclusion that the family struggled, due to frequent moves and the father not being able to secure enough employment to fully support the family. This was a pressure on the entire family. Gotti could have seen the gang life as the only means of getting quick money as he was taught the tricks of the trade. Due to the lack of goals and values being set for Gotti at a young age, he was steered in the wrong direction by a group of people who made the wrong kind of time for him. Both Sutherland and Merton have valid theories, Sutherland believing that behaviors are learned and Merton believing that pressures to social structures can lead to a life of organized crime. This writer must contend; however, that no one has to live a life of crime and believes that hard work is the only answer to a life free of crime, which will ultimately lead to a life that one can be proud of, and one that will keep one clear of the judicial system. Honest money in this writer’s opinion is the only kind of good money to live by. Hard work instills the correct values needed to make the world a better place and teaches others that honest work brings excellent dividends in the end. Jerome Skolnick and his colleagues (1990) distinguished between two gang types. “Cultural gangs are strongly grounded a neighborhood identity, and members may be involved in crime, including drug trafficking. Entrepreneurial gangs are organized for the express purpose of distributing drugs (Abadinsky, p. 201). Cultural gangs thrive on loyalty in the neighborhood and to other members of the gang; this type of gang may have the members of the gang use or sell drugs as a means of becoming a member with the expectation that selling drugs is a continued requirement to its affiliation. On the other hand, Entrepreneurial gangs thrive on economic opportunities and considering themselves a brotherhood and refrains from violence with other gangs. The Gangster Disciples (GD) originated from the south side of Chicago and is known for bringing in an estimated $100 million in drug trafficking and has grown to become one of the largest organization in the United States with affiliations in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Gary, Indiana. The leader of the gang is incarcerated, however, is very much in charge of the gang from inside prison walls. The organization is vulnerable to prosecution due to the large size because records are kept on different members and different ranks to ensure everything is running smoothly. Non -members of this organization who have achieved success are informed three things by this group; (1) join the Gangster Disciples; (2) stop- selling drugs; or (3) die. The GD has established some legitimate businesses to use for money laundering purposes. Members, who may be incarcerated are encouraged to complete their education and to use prison libraries to study up on as much law as possible and to stay fit by constantly working out in weight rooms. Organized crime is a going phenomenal in the world and, it does not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon; however, if one learns anything from John Gotti and the Gangster Disciples, it should be that crime does not pay because it will ultimately end in some form of prison time. Although behaviors are learned, and one’s structured society can lead to a life of crime these behaviors can be changed by grouping with those who want to live a life free of crime and work hard in legitimate business to become successful without the worry of being prosecuted. References Abadinsky, Howard Organized Crime Ninth Edition (2010) Gangster Disciples (2007). A.V.M Gang Awareness Night Retrieved 08:26, Jul 31, 2010 from http://www.avm.gangs.tripod.com/id13.html John Gotti (2010). Biography.com Retrieved 08:43, Jul 30, 2010 from http://www.biography.com/articles'John-Gotti-9542186