Countering Islamic radicalisation in prison through restorative justice based programmes

Abstract

Radicalisation is one of the leading concerns to governments and agencies countering terrorism, and mainly Islamic terrorism. Individuals usually do follow a pathway in which they get radicalised before getting involved in terrorism-related activities. The phenomenon of Islamic radicalisation in prison presents peculiar features. The spread of extreme Islamist ideologies in European prisons is a reality we cannot tackle and counter without a deep understanding of the distinction between Islam, or any other religion, and extremist ideologies that use the religion for promoting violence and hatred. Peaceful conflict resolution models, promoting tolerance and inclusiveness, building respect for diversity and promoting responsible community practices are strategies involved in restorative justice practices that may well be used in countering Islamic radicalisation in prison. This article explores the possibilities offered by the different models and techniques of restorative justice when facing radicalism in prison, not only from the classical restorative justice approach as an alternative answer to the conflict created by the crime but also considering it as an essential preventive resource and a pathway to convey counter narrative arguments and ideas.