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Reducing Gang Violence across Cultures: The Impact of Focused DeterrenceApproaches in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A and Glasgow, ScotlandRobin S. Engel, University of Cincinnati (robin.engel@uc.edu)Youth and gang violence have become increasing concerns for politicians, police and the public.This research focuses on two cities with very different demographics and gang culture that haveimplemented focused deterrence strategies: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA and Glasgow, Scotland. Boththe Cincinnati Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) and Glasgow’s Community Initiative toReduce Violence (CIRV) are multi-agency, community collaborations designed to reduce gunviolence perpetrated by violent groups/gangs. Specifically, the CIRV initiatives use a focuseddeterrence approach with specific coordinated strategies implemented by street advocates,community engagement specialists, law enforcement officials, and service providers designed to:1) change community norms regarding violence; 2) provide increased alternatives to at-riskpopulations; and 3) increase perceived risks of involvement in violence. Drawing uponethnographic research with police officers, young offenders, street workers and communityleaders, along with quantitative evaluations, this research examines the differing nature andcauses of youth violence and the perceived effect on youth and communities of focused deterrentapproaches to reduce violence. A 42-month evaluation demonstrated a 41% reduction in groupmemberinvolved homicides in Cincinnati since CIRV’s inception (Engel, Tillyer & Corsaro,2012), and a 50% reduction in the level of violent offending by gang members who haveengaged with the Glasgow version of CIRV (VRU, 2011). And yet, in terms of localdemographics, group dynamics and the sociological and criminological nature of gang culturethese two cities – Cincinnati and Glasgow – could not be more different. These differences ingang-related violence and the similarities of the effectiveness of the strategies implemented toreduce violence are discussed.A Unique Approach to Incentivizing the Implementation of Evidence-BasedPractices in the CommunityMyranda Schweitzer, University of Cincinnati (myrinda.schweitzer@ucmail.uc.edu)Paula Smith, University of Cincinnati (paula.smith@uc.edu)There is now clear and convincing evidence for “what works” in reducing recidivism (Andrewsand Bonta, 2006). In the past three decades, the principles of effective correctional interventionhave taken over as the leading paradigm for offender rehabilitation. However, in the most recenttwo decades, many states have found that both the state and local governments are facingresource and service delivery challenges that impact adherence to these principles. To combatthese challenges at both the state and local level, one Midwestern state established a program toimprove the conditions of confinement for youth in custody while also increasing and improvingthe quality of services in the local communities. As part of the program, counties in the state are280