Preventing Radicalisation Through Probation and Release

Policy-makers are increasingly interested in the role of prisons and probation services with regards to disengagement, not only because prisons are considered to be breeding grounds for radicalisation, but also because together with the probation services, they can be effective partners in prevention strategies. In particular, probation is a channel through which convicted individuals can benefit from programmes and interventions aimed at strengthening their resilience against extremist influences or supporting them in the process of disengagement from extremist groups or environments.

Whether focused on disengagement, rehabilitation or resettlement, such programmes require multi-agency coordination in order to maximise the chances for radicalised individuals to reintegrate into society and also minimise the risk of re-offending.

Some EU countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, have recognised the key role of cities as coordinators of all relevant stakeholders within these multi-agency programmes. This central role played by cities has already been highlighted by the European Forum for Urban Security in its work on the prevention of re-offending*.

Partners: 

  • Local authorities: City of Malaga and Generalitat of Catalonia (Spain), Rotterdam and The Hague (Netherlands),  Bagnolet (France) and Vilvoorde (Belgium).
  • Organisations: Violence Prevention Network and Denkzeit (Germany), Fryshuset (Sweden), European Forum for Restorative Justice (Belgium) and Fondation Agir Contre l’Exclusion (France).

Coordinator: EFUS (Moritz Konradi, Programme Manager – konradi@efus.eu)

Duration: 1st October 2017 – 31 December 2019

Objectives: 

PREPARE’s general objective is to contribute to prevent radicalisation through disengagement and rehabilitation programmes in release and probation, notably through multi-agency partnerships that include local authorities.

Specific objectives:

  • to establish the current state of multi-agency disengagement and rehabilitation programmes in release and probation that involve local authorities;
  • to identify the needs in this field in order to draw up tailor made recommendations on the development of multi-agency initiatives in release and probation;
  • to strengthen local authorities’ capacities on multi-agency tertiary prevention of radicalisation in release and probation;
  • to bring together European local authorities willing to address radicalisation through release and probation.

More information on the project's website