SERA Preventing radicalisation in prisons -

P a g e | 22 ERASMUS+ N° 580247-EPP-1-2016-1-FR-EPPKA3-IPI-SOC-IN TURKEY In the past few years, Turkey has witnessed a string of terrorist attacks. Since 2015, the number of attacks carried out in the south-east part of the country by Kurdish separatists has risen. Suicide attacks by Daesh, attacks by the far left DHKP(C) and the Kurdish separatist group TAK in various cities, including Ankara and Istanbul, have also taken place (Gov.Uk, n.d.). In light of such risks, Turkey’s has increasingly relied on various preventive measures, encompassing a multitude of interventions, such as community-policing, family support, religious counselling, educational and employment incentives and development policies with particular emphasis on vulnerable people (OHCHR, n.d.). The Prime Minister’s Office of Religious Affairs and the Turkish National Police (TNP) play a key role in the prevention of radicalisation in Turkey. The Office for Religious Affairs raises awareness about the peaceful and tolerant messages of Islam and provides guidance on religious tenets and practices. The Turkish National Police (TNP) implements projects to fight radicalisation in all 81 provinces of Turkey, with a particular focus on high-risk provinces (OHCHR, n.d.). Projects echo anti-gang activities in the United States and generally entail awareness-raising, social projects, the involvement of families to counter radicalisation, research and professional training for frontline officers. Many of the TNP’s programmes prepare trainers, psychologists, coaches, and religious leaders to intervene against violent extremism and to prevent recruitment (OHCHR, n.d.) PRISONS The Ministry of Justice is one of the main entities responsible for training programmes in prison. The Ministry coordinates programmes aimed at the social reintegration and rehabilitation of juvenile, female and other inmates. These courses not only equip participants with a thorough understanding of universal values, but also include coaching services and individualised interventions, based on the specific needs of each prisoner (OHCHR, n.d.). Very often, the families or relatives of inmates are invited to participate in such programmes – The Ministry also collaborates with relevant institutions and organisation to conduct research on the issue of radicalisation in prison. In addition, the Office of Religious Affairs engages over 600 preachers to work in prisons (OHCHR, n.d.).