SERA Preventing radicalisation in prisons -

P a g e | 12 ERASMUS+ N° 580247-EPP-1-2016-1-FR-EPPKA3-IPI-SOC-IN Two recent facts reported by the media are : 1. On Monday 28 th May, 2018 two ISIS Belgian widows and their children, represented by Child Focus, sued the Belgian government as they want to return to Belgium, even with the risk of being imprisoned, as the living conditions in the Syrian camp are extremely bad and they want their children to grow up in a free country. The Belgian Minister for Justice is still undecided as the two women had already been repatriated from Syria in 2013. However, after giving birth to their respective children, the went back to Syria. After which the Belgian courts had sentenced the two women to 5 years’ imprisonment in absentia . 2. On Tuesday 29 th May, 2018, a 21-year-old man, who had been given penitentiary leave for 2 days, killed two female police officers, a passer-by and wounded four police officers in Liège. He was known as being potential radicalised as he ha been frequenting inmates that were know as being radicalised Muslims. ISIS claimed the attack. PRISONS In 2015, a 10-point action plan addressing radicalisation in the custodial setting came into effect. The plan seeks to prevent the radicalisation of inmates, as well as ensure follow-ups for radicalised people in detention. The core objectives are: improved living conditions in penitentiary institutions; further information and knowledge; efficient consultation and coordination structures; the digitization and automation of the flow of information; a better detection of radicalisation; a well-considered placement policy; an individualized approach when necessary; the systematic involvement of the representatives of the various religions; de- radicalisation and disengagement programmes; and enhanced cooperation at the local level, the federated states and Europe. The underlying belief is that such measures will enable detainees to become more resilient to the influences of extremist ideas (Federal Public Service Justice, 2015). A specialised unit, ‘Extremism’ was created to coordinate all aspects of the implementation of the action plan, such as training of staff, security measures, intelligence, knowledge and information sharing. The unit can also make recommendations on security measures to local and regional entities (Federal Public Service Justice, 2015).