Research Partnership with Ukraine
The National Institute of Justice and the Ukrainian Academy of Law Sciences have recently completed a multi-year initiative entitled the "U.S. Ukraine Research Partnership Project—Creating New Partnerships: Linking Research and Practice in the United States and Ukraine to Respond to the Challenges of Crime." This project was part of an InterAgency Agreement with the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the Department of State. The partnership consisted of three components: technology, assessment and research. Each of the three project areas had their own separate focuses, but they operated together in a collaborative format.
Technology– Internet Grants Program
The Internet Grants program provided the technical capacity and infrastructure required to support research efforts.
Assessment– Law Enforcement Experience Exchange
For the Experience Exchange program, researchers assessed the effectiveness of U.S. law enforcement training and assistance efforts for Ukrainian practitioners.
Research– Research Partners
U.S. and Ukraine research teams worked collaboratively to study significant crime problems relevant to both Ukraine and the U.S. Research areas included organized crime, corruption, drug trafficking, human trafficking and economic crimes.
As part of NIJ's dissemination efforts for the project, conferences were held in January 21-24, 2002 in Kiev and Kharkiv Ukraine; and May 13-14 in Washington D.C. For these events, staff from the International Center, U.S. and Ukrainian researchers and government officials from Ukraine and the U.S. discussed findings and lessons learned.
Creating New Partnerships: Linking Research and Practice in the United States and Ukraine to Respond to the Challenges of Crime
Summary of Project Accomplishments
| Technology | Internet Grants Program: This program included three key parts: a) Internet access and training, b) Web presence development, and c) developing online libraries and knowledge bases. The Internet program of the U.S.-Ukraine Research Partnerships project provided the technical capacity to foster grass-root international connections as well as the ability to share information within Ukraine. The program consisted of two pieces - providing Internet access and support for the Ukrainian researchers participating in the project and an Internet Grants Program to agencies which hold data the researchers need access to. In the short term, it provided the necessary tools needed for project participants to carry out their research. In the long term, technical barriers were broken and trust between partners was achieved. At project completion, 11 governmental agencies and research institutions in Ukraine had established websites and developed the capability for electronic publishing. A highlight of these agencies included the Supreme Court, the Ministry of the Interior, State Law Academy, and the Security Service of Ukraine. Below are a list of some of the links to agency websites developed in Ukraine. Ukrainian Academy of Law Sciences: Security Service of Ukraine: Ministry of Interior: |
| Assessment | Law Enforcement Experience Exchange The Experience Exchange program assessed the fit between U.S. law enforcement training and assistance efforts and Ukrainian practitioner needs. To accomplish this researchers reviewed and assessed training and technical assistance provided by the United States to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. The project documented this training, examined the extent to which it complemented existing training, and assessed its impact on the agencies that received it. Read results of this assessment in Assessing the Fit Between U.S. Sponsored Training and the Needs of Ukrainian Police Agencies . |
| Research | U.S./ Ukrainian Research Partners In preparation for final project conferences in the Ukraine and the U.S., researchers prepared a number of short conference papers. Read all of the Ukrainian conference papers in both English (roughly translated) and Ukrainian. A summary of each U.S. paper, including links to conference papers and final reports can be found below. Also below are links to selected Ukrainian papers that were professionally translated for U.S. dissemination. These papers were identified by U.S. peer reviewers as the highest quality in terms of most relevance to U.S. policy and practice, as well as strength of methodology. The Growing Importance of Ukraine as a Transit Country for Heroin Trafficking: This research project (1) identified smuggling routes both from producer countries and in Ukraine; (2) identified types of drugs smuggled, routes taken, and conveyances employed; (3) provided a methodology and estimated the magnitude of the amount of heroin transiting Ukraine. Organized Crime In Ukraine: Challenge And Response: This research project (1) identified the types and severity of transnational organized crime present within Ukraine; (2) delineated the responses of the Ukrainian government and others to domestic and transnational crimes in the country; and (3) developed a set of recommendations for strengthening the efforts to combat organized crime in Ukraine. Conference Paper, Final Paper. Prediction and Control of Organized Crime: Researchers used a risk assessment tool to measure impact of local organized crime on local businesses. This research developed a model to explain how crime becomes organized and shifts its focus. More specifically, it clarified the relationship among five factors in relation to organized crime: social, economic, and technological changes and trends; how the changes create criminal opportunities; how motivated groups develop to exploit these opportunities; the kinds of skills needed to take advantage of criminal opportunities; and the specific kinds of criminal activity engaged in. Conference Paper, Final Paper. Trafficking in Women from Ukraine: This research team conducted a qualitative descriptive study on the nature and extent of trafficking in women from Ukraine. In addition, the team constructed a research project Web site entitled "Trafficking in Women from Ukraine." For the second part of the project, the researchers set up a database to help track the movement of women from Ukraine to other countries through recruitment programs. Conference Paper, Final Paper, Website. Ukraine Research Reports Business Victimization and Organized Crime: This paper examines the often symbiotic relationship between business and organized crime groups in Ukraine. Businesses in Ukraine are increasingly being targeted by organized crime groups who are taking advantage of Ukraine's instability and weak government infrastructure. Businesses doubt the efficacy of state officials and increasingly turn to criminal groups for support and protection. The resulting symbiosis of business and organized crime has served to foster interdependent relationships and power structures that are difficult to penetrate. Final Report. Organized Economic Crime and Corruption in Ukraine: This paper examines how the collapse of communism in Ukraine created opportunities for organized criminal groups to expand their economic criminal activities in the "shadow economy" by penetrating all levels of public and economic administration. State machinery for regulation and control of industry and commerce was easily accessible to organized crime through bribing of state officials, who received no supervision during economic restructuring. Researchers hypothesize that the social and economic disorder in Ukraine, as well as a common and justified mistrust of state officials fosters a pessimism and erodes moral standards, which fosters criminal activity. Final Report. Trafficking in Women and Children for Purposes of Sexual Exploitation: This paper examines trafficking in women and children in Ukraine for purposes of sexual exploitation. The overall goal of the study was to examine legislation and law enforcement practices in Ukraine that have been unsuccessful thus far, and suggests meaningful prevention possibilities and intervention opportunities. Final Report. Ukraine, International Money Laundering and the Investigation of Organized Crime: This paper examines how organized crime groups took advantage of Ukraine's period of economic reform to develop methods to drain Ukrainian currency and hide capital resources abroad. Further, researchers discuss how current Ukrainian criminal code provisions are inadequate to curb Ukraine's "currency drain" as well as the various methods used by organized groups to avoid tax liability and conceal large amounts of profit earned abroad. Final Report. Ukrainian Organized Crime Groups: A Behavioral Model: This paper examines the specifics of criminal group behavior in Ukraine. Ukrainian organized crime operates like any social group existing in relation to other institutions in society, and is governed by strict norms and standards which have developed over many decades. The infrastructure of these groups, their organization and leadership, and methods for criminal activities are all determined by customs and rules unique to Ukraine. Using statistical analysis, a case study of one organized criminal group, and collective interviews with various law enforcement officials, this study attempts to determine the prevalence of traditions and the nature of group dynamics in organized crime. Final Report. |