SERA Preventing radicalisation in prisons -

P a g e | 6 ERASMUS+ N° 580247-EPP-1-2016-1-FR-EPPKA3-IPI-SOC-IN THEORIES OF RADICALISATION IN PRISON Over recent years, there has been a myriad of discussions on radicalisation, including theories and debates were identifying real conclusions is challenging. The amount of literature written is staggering. Radicalisation has not only become a buzz-word, where more and more literature is generated but it has also become an important issue politically and socially. The preoccupation of nation states on this phenomenon has been raised to an extent, that any action, that results in mass murders, in the western world, is picked upon by the media and given the utmost attention, resulting in moral panics in the population and thus demanding political attention. Silke’s (2017) in his recent article ‘Countering Violent Extremism in Prisons : A Review of Key Recent Research and Critical Research Gaps’ will be discussed as it gives a good summary of the most prominent points of violent extremism within prisons. Andrew Silke is one of the major exponents in the research on terrorism. In 2014 he edited a book with the title Prisons, terrorism and extremism , which agglomerates a series of “intervention and management strategies for dealing with terrorist and extremist offenders in prisons” (Silke, 2014). Prison as a place of radicalisation and their important role in combating terrorism and extreme violence is a subject of both political priority and increasing scholarly debate. Prisons are seen as fertile ground for radicalisation, making them an important subject for academic research. Researchers have been looking at the problematic behaviour of extremist offenders in prisons. There has been a shift in research areas from understanding the phenomenon to managing radicalisation. The first studies addressed understanding, therefore research focused on risks and dynamics of radicalisation (Brandon, 2009). Later studies shifted their focus to management, therefore areas such as risk assessment, classification, management and reintegration of prisoners were addressed (Silke, 2014). The role of religion in prison had seen a variety of debates going on. Researchers have looked at the importance of religions and ideological thoughts as being beneficial to inmates (Lofland & Stark, 1965 ; Thomas & Barbara, 2004). The prison experience is often fraught with problems. This experience can be especially scary and traumatic for the person entering prison for the first time. In these cases, religion is often seen as a means of belonging, a means of coping with fear and reducing shame. Religion helps one gain a sense of control and self- esteem. Maruna, Wilson & Curran (2006) write about how ideological conversions have a positive effect in the short run while Hamm (2011) concludes that prison conversions “did more good than harm and sometimes even served a de-radicalisation agenda.” Similarly, Liebling (2012) noted that religion can help prisoners through moral and social guidelines and through helping them make sense of the prison experience. A number of factors have been identified as leading to radicalisation (Mulcahym, Merrington & Bell, 2013). This is the result of making naïve inmates that are already at high risk, vulnerable. Radicalisation is the result of a number of institutional factors (such as overcrowding), social factors (such as deprivation) and individual factors (such as vulnerability). If there is a combination of these factors, with charismatic leadership in prison, vulnerable prisoners are in danger of becoming radicalised. Overcrowding causes stress,