THE American University of Peace Studies (AUOPS) in collaboration with AUOPS Research USA on Thursday hosted a research conference and launch ceremony for the Combating Crime and Violence through Interact, Collaborate, Engage and Support (ICES) programme.

The one-day research conference which was held under the theme, “Mind Matters, Exploring the Science of Emotions and Aggression for Safety”, saw the university’s students presenting the findings of their research on crime and violence, aggression and law enforcement agencies. Additionally, they presented policies that can be implemented to curb crime-related issues.

Director of Prisons Nicklon Elliot commended the students for their hard work in their respective research topic areas.

He noted that research is an essential tool for development, in one’s professional as well as personal life.

According to the Prison Head, at the level of the prison, one of the concepts is ensuring that its decision making is determined or driven by data management.

“We don’t want to make our policies, and we do not want to develop a programme if we do not have evidence. So, our decisions that we are making must be evidence based, and, it must be the same for you and your organisation. So, whatever you do, it must be based on facts. It must be based on information that you received, and of course, not only receiving the information, it must be validated,” he expressed.
The director challenged persons to partner with the Prison Service to research a number of areas, to understand why a person had committed the offence they were incarcerated for.

He said this will aid in informing the prison system and all stakeholders about what can be done at their level to reduce these acts. This in turn will not only help our nation to move forward but it will see a decline in the prison population.

Meanwhile, President and Chief Executive Officer of AUOPS, Dr. Eton Simon stated that we are embarking on a critical moment in human development called research.

“You need to get busy with research. Every department should have a research department right now in this country so that you can fast-track the transitional changes that are taking place in the country right now,” Dr. Simon said.

While emphasising that there are many available opportunities, he urged his audience to fast track their thinking and expand their consciousness to prepare for all of the changes that are going to come someday, for which research will be needed.

“Every single department within this government should have a research department to speed up the process of knowledge so that knowledge can guide the policies that you’re making within these departments,” he said.

The AUOPS President indicated that there is need for more research studies to be done so that we can have critical information while collecting data to help in the decision-making process for the future of Guyana.
Adding to this, AUOPS Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Nadine Ramsarran said it is now time to focus on a proactive approach and not a reactive one to solve and prevent crime.

Through the launch of the initiative, the Dean said that AUOPS will be sending psychologists into each administrative region to gather data to understand what the root cause of crime in those areas is.

“That is something that we are now looking at. And when we are looking at criminals, we need to look at their thought process; we have to look at their views,” she said before questioning what is the driving force that allows someone to brutally kill another person.

She explained that when psychologists visit communities, they will be gathering data which will be analysed. This will lead to collaboration with the criminal justice system which includes the Joint Services, law enforcement, the Supreme Court, and the prison system, providing skills training and mentorship programmes to persons in communities across the country. Further, this will offer counselling and intervention to young people.

“We want them to realise that there is much more out there for them. We want them to identify their purpose,” she said adding, “It takes all of us, the correctional facilities, the law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary to come together as one, to put the policy in place and let ICES work, preventing crime and violence through ICES,” she said.