“What Made Me Change”: Transformative Experiences in the Jihadist Radicalization Process

Abstract

ABSTRACT Disentangling the roots of radicalization leading to violence is a worldwide challenge. Unfortunately, empirical data are scarce. Through fieldwork conducting interviews with Muslim persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in Spanish prisons, this research examines transformative experiences that may have influenced radicalization leading to violence from the 3N model and the life-course perspective lenses. PDL because of jihadist terrorism (n = 30), common criminals who carry out proselytizing work (n = 22), and non-radicals (control group, n = 64) were asked about the turning point in their lives. Their responses were coded into exclusive thematic categories following an inductive-deductive mixed approach. Jihadists and proselytizers identified experiences linking their personal identity to religion—ideological ties—as a transformative point that provided them purpose and sparked the desire for leaving their criminal lifestyle behind. Also, proselytizers referred to family-related experiences—familial ties—as a turning point which also prompted them to criminal desistance, whereas this was not mentioned by jihadists. All groups had in common the experience of incarceration as a major turning point and a moderate level of self-reported religiosity. Overall, these findings contribute to the understanding and prevention of jihadist radicalization.