Which term is used to describe groups that conduct illegal or delinquent acts as a primary activity?

The term that best describes groups conducting illegal or delinquent acts as a primary activity is "criminal gangs." This designation emphasizes the group's primary focus on engaging in crimes, which can include drug trafficking, robbery, assault, and other illegal enterprises. Unlike other groups that may engage in a variety of activities or may not have crime as their primary goal, criminal gangs are specifically defined by their organization and commitment to illegal acts.

Security Threat Groups, while also involved in illegal activities, may have broader motivations including political or social agendas and often exist within institutional settings such as prisons. Nontraditional gangs might not fit the classic definition of gangs that strictly engage in criminal behavior and could denote newer or evolving organizational structures that may have different focuses. Street organizations can similarly operate outside strict criminal definitions and might include a range of activities beyond just criminal behavior.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for professionals in the justice and correctional systems as it helps in assessing threats and understanding the dynamics of different groups they may encounter.