In this study, we collected and analyzed political leaders' statements about gang criminals. The purpose was to use critical discourse analysis to examine how political discourse categorizes, positions, and reproduces gang criminals as a group. The empirical material consisted of three different political debates containing statements related to organized crime. The study's results showed that gang criminals were divided into two main categories: younger criminals and older criminals. Younger criminals were frequently portrayed as victims and defenseless, and older criminals were positioned as conscious ruthless perpetrators. This categorization was also reflected in proposed solutions in the analyzed debates, preventive solution proposals were more often linked to younger criminals and more repressive measures were primarily directed towards older criminals. Despite occasional challenges, this dichotomous categorization remained prominent throughout the analysis. 

Political narratives significantly influence public perceptions of gang criminals and can therefore impact social work practices and institutional approaches to addressing gang-related issues.