USAID Central America Regional Security Initiative

1. USAID Central America Regional Security Initiative Latin American and Caribbean Bureau March 2011 November 2010

2. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • CARSI complements other U.S. Government citizen safety initiatives in the Western Hemisphere • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

3. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Key U.S. Government Citizen Safety Initiatives in the Western Hemisphere • Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) • Citizen safety partnership with the 14 nations of CARICOM plus the Dominican Republic to address the threats facing the region. • Central America Regional Security Initiative • Supports the nations of Central America in addressing critical criminal threats and capacity and rule of law deficits in the region. • Colombia Strategic Development Partnership • Supports Colombian efforts to expand state presence and services in areas where poverty, violence and illicit crop cultivation or narcotics trafficking have historically converged.  • Merida – Mexico • Provides assistance for law enforcement operations and promotes the reform and professionalization of security agencies. • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

4. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) CARSI seeks to address Central America’s citizen safety challenges by focusing resources and assistance on five strategic “pillars”: Safe Streets: Streets free of crime and violence will foster social and economic opportunity for the citizens of Central America. Disrupt the Movement of Criminals and Contraband: Preventing the transit of criminals and contraband to, through and within Central America will reduce the ability of organized crime to conduct their illicit activities and perpetuate the cycle of violence in the region. Strong, Capable and Accountable Governments: Governments free of corruption, possessing political will and maintaining properly trained and resourced law enforcement, rule of law and community action programs can counter cultures of lawlessness. • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

5. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) The five pillars of CARSI – continued Effective State Presence in Communities at Risk: Governments must maintain law enforcement, judicial, social and educational capacity and services to counter the activities and influence of organized crime. Enhanced Levels of Cooperation: Threats to citizen safety represent regional challenges, requiring the development of coordinated action plans by Central America, Colombia, Mexico and the Caribbean. • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

6. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) USAID Programs • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation Guatemala Honduras El Salvador Nicaragua Panamá

7. U.S. Anti-Gang Strategy Integrated Approach: Justice Sector Strengthening Law Enforcement Capacity-Building Prevention Rehabilitation The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

8. Prevention/Rehabilitation U.S. Experience: Solid Evidence for Prevention Sustainable: focus on underlying factors helps break the cycle of poverty and violence. Cost-effective. Eases pressure on prison system. Rehabilitation reduces risk of recidivism, builds community cohesion. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

9. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) Crime and Vulnerability Risk Factors • Risk factors associated with values and identity: • Dysfunctional families, lack of supervision in the home and high rates of domestic violence; • Loss of family and social values; • The need for identity and belonging, low self-esteem, negative peer contact and a lack of dreams and life plans; • Irresponsible sexual activity at an early age; • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation Risk factors associated with skills training and employment opportunities: 5) Limited access to formal and informal education; 6) Low quality of education / teachers, high school dropout rates; 7) High unemployment among youth and a lack of skills for employment; Risk factors associated with public policy and the external environment: 8) Neighborhood gang presence, acceptance of a culture of violence; 9) Overcrowded neighborhoods with limited access to basic services and spaces for recreation; 10) Consumption of drugs, drug trafficking, easy access to weapons and access to the illicit economy; 11) Police abuse, weakness and corruption of institutions; 12) Lack of Violence Prevention Policies at the national and municipal levels and, 13) Effects of immigration and deportation.

10. Focus on the Justice Sector Crimes Against Life Unit and 24 Hour Courts - Guatemala Criminal Procedure Reform - El Salvador Dispute Mediation Centers - El Salvador Juvenile Justice Reform – Central America Focus on Law Enforcement Capacity-Building Community-based Policing Villa Nueva, Guatemala El Salvador The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

11. Focus on Community-Based Solutions Gangs are not the only problem. Entire community must be made resilient and resistant to crime and violence. Youth growing up in safer communities are less likely to face the temptation of crime and violence. Examples: Centros de Alcance “Por mi Barrio” – El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras Community-Based Crime and Violence Prevention – El Salvador Community Empowerment and Transformation – Jamaica The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

12. Focus on Local Government Long-term sustainability. Cultural shift, promoting official prevention policies. Examples: Municipal Crime Prevention Plans Centros de Alcance - local government buy-in Community-based crime and violence prevention El Salvador. Encourages problem-solving between communities and local officials. The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

13. Focus on Youth Education: Centros de Alcance. Recreation, life skills, and vocational training. Media OAS – Central America. Teaches at-risk youth to create and disseminate messages against crime, violence, and substance abuse. Changing Popular Attitudes: Desafio 10 & 100 –Guatemala. Changed attitudes about ex-gang members. Youth Movements Against Violence The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation

14. Evaluation Design Random division of 100 similar communities 33 treatment and 67 control communities El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama 3 years – baseline, mid-point and final Multiple methods to collect data Vanderbilt University/LAPOP – AmericasBarometer The Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) • Background • USAID Programs • Prevention/Rehab • Justice Sector • Community-based • Local Govt • Youth • Evaluation Surveys Accurate portrayal of community conditions before and after program implementation Focus Groups In-depthInterviews HardData