Latest update November 29th, 2024 1:00 AM
We are losing our youths – Part 2: Understanding criminal behaviour
DEAR EDITOR,
I am looking intently at the photographs of the three youths captured during the botched robbery at a Republic Park home, and as I look at these boys to reflect, I am reminded of my article, ‘We are losing our youths’ published in the local dailies, dated August 31st, 2019.
While many may say “good for them” or hurl racial slurs against these young men, I find it extremely difficult to accept the pain and sorrow displayed on their faces. My heart hurts to see them lay on the ground, as their silent cry for help goes unnoticed.
This is why I am writing this article to empathize with our youths and attempt to try to save the lives of our youths.
I am saddened by the fact that these youths have selected a life in becoming criminals. But, I ask myself, “Are we to be hateful of them for choosing this life?” I think that perhaps if we were to understand why they did, and continue to do what they do; a little empathy can be shown towards them. Having said this, I also stand with the fact that when they perpetuate their cruelty and bestiality to public citizens, then it becomes a situation that will attract public hate.
The problem with these youths in crime is a societal and national one, where the appropriate attention is not being given to these youths, who evidently have their own problems and struggles.
I am sure, that if a background check is done on them, you will more often than not find that they came from troubled backgrounds – where they have no parents, where they were neglected and abused, and grew up with probably a single parent (some of whom have done an exceptional job as single parents) or a guardian working tirelessly to make ends meet, and were led into a life of crime out of sheer need.
My concern is that the minds of these youths has become warped from childhood, therefore, they may have grown up with a hate of society, resulting in vicious crimes like merciless beating, rape, etc. towards their victims in order to fulfill their vengeance towards society.
By no means am I saying that I am a professional counselor or personality analyst, but I care enough to worry about these boys and empathize with them that our society is not strong enough to cater for them. Obviously they grew up with great pain and trauma in their lives that have influenced them to choose this path.
The neglect and abuse of children often progresses through several generations. I am afraid that the cycle of abuse and crime will keep repeating itself if there are no systems in place to save them, their self-confidence, and their interest in society.
I wish we had systems in place like Boot Camps: a system I have been passionately writing about in the media, discussed on my TV program and in sermons at various religious presentations. I raised the idea of Boot Camps numerous times as a former Commissioner of the former National Commission of Law and Order, which was chaired by former Minister, Mr. Clement Rohee.
I emphasize to the government and nongovernmental organizations of similar interest that I really believe Boot Camps can instill discipline and effect change.
While I am happy that no one was robbed in the incident, I am worried that when these boys will be placed into the prison system, they will become more hardened. I always refer to our Prisons and Prison systems as ‘Universities of Crimes.’ Very few inmates ever leave the prison system rehabilitated.
Having a correctional Boot Camp that focuses on restorative measures will ensure that they come in the system and be taught to be positive role models with a better chance of turning their lives around. They should be required to sign a participation agreement, in which lessons on discipline and appropriate skills, counseling, and anger management will be taught, for them to make positive contributions to society or return to prison. Participating, and successful completion of this Boot Camp can also place these offenders to be released earlier than their prison sentence.
With my love for disciplinary organizations, and my belief that there is good in every person, we need to find ways to give offenders a fair chance to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. It is evident that these people need professional help to deal with their psychological problems from all the many difficulties they faced in their young lives.
Sincerely,
Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan
Chairman/Founder
RK’s Guyana Security Services
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