In general, as a result of the programs they've taken in prison, youths have very good intentions when they get out. They've learned something and want to do things differently. But when they enter the population, we have nothing more to offer them. We're afraid of them. When we talk about street gangs, we may be talking about young blacks who have an education, who have a diploma. There are no jobs for them.
We have absolutely nothing to offer a young black who gets out of prison and enters the community. He's somewhat obliged to go back with his peers. His peers will follow him for a month or two, ask him what he's doing and tell him that he still has his place. They'll put him at another level, since he's proven himself. They'll also tell him that, even though he was arrested, he's ultimately not the problem: he paid for someone else. Since he was quiet and did his time, they'll add that he has a run ahead of him and he can keep on going.
Even though the system offers some assistance, this youth has nothing to do two or three months later. He hasn't worked and can't even find a place to live because his parents have disowned him. So he finds himself with a big problem.