De-Radicalizing Islamist Extremists In Prison Not Working In The UK

Although I'd like to think that people are inherently good and that those that are evil can change, my hopes versus reality don't always mesh. I think that perhaps some people can change, but for the most part evil remains evil. That's unfortunately the way it is with Islamic terrorists. There have been a few that have seen the error of their ways and returned to the fold of humanity, but for the most part, they don't change because they are far too indoctrinated with extremist, religious ideology. And even ex-jihadis like Noman Benotman , although they might not actually be physically fighting, they do still endorse jihad in certain cases. And it seems that those who have left terrorism have done so of their own volition, not because they have undergone some de-radicalization process. Countries including Britain have been trying to de-radicalize Islamic fundamentalists in their prison system, and have been failing miserably. And this news comes straight from the mouths of ex-inmates themselves.

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Britain is a breeding ground for Islamist radicals, and the government is trying to make sure no more 7/11 acts come to fruition, so they hire Muslim chaplains to "challenge and undermine extremist ideology", in the prison system.

But former prisoners claim the imams are viewed as "puppets" and allege some have even been assaulted.

The Ministry of Justice said it was working "with a number of third-sector partner organisations" to rehabilitate prisoners.

Around 200 extremists have been jailed since the 2005 London bombings and some are now due for release from prison and are returning to their communities.

Londoner Qasim (not his real name), who was 17 when he was jailed for three and a half years after admitting attending a place used for terrorist training, said the prison imams failed to challenge his core beliefs.

"They didn't try to de-radicalise me. There wasn't much of that at all to be honest. There was a prison imam but he only came on a Friday to lead prayers," he told BBC Radio 4.

Other former prisoners claimed that the 200-strong prison imam service is not equipped to address the core ideology which led to their crimes.

Shah Jalal Hussain, who also lives in London and spent 18 months in prison after being convicted of raising funds to support terrorism, claimed that prison imams were viewed with open hostility and as "puppets of the regime".

"A number of times he [the imam] was even attacked physically. He tried to press charges, but dropped them in the end. Prison didn't change my views at all, in fact it made me stronger in my beliefs," he said

And not only are the programmes for the inmates ineffective, there is no effective system to continue the process on the outside. So even if they were to make progress in jail, once the prisoners are released there is nothing to really help them from being re-radicalized.

Dr Peter Neumann from the Centre for Radicalisation at King's College, who has recently researched de-radicalisation efforts in 15 different countries, said a much larger prison imam service is a step in the right direction, but added that ex-inmates needed more support outside prison.

"There is no point in de-radicalising people in prison then releasing them, as they will go back to the people they used to hang out with, and fall into the trap again," he said.

"It's very important to have a post-release network in place to allow them to escape jihadist activities."

The only thing that seems to be helping, somewhat, are various programmes that are set up for ex-inmates to deal one-on-one with Muslim organizations once they are released, rather than being left to their own devices and assuming the process worked.

Using a variety of approaches these projects aim to challenge the offenders' ideology and offer a more mainstream understanding of Islam.

Qasim, who claimed he was successfully de-radicalised with the help of the Stockwell Green Muslim Centre, which runs a tailored 18-month programme called Preventative and Lasting Measures, said having the chance to discuss his beliefs through the programme was vital.

"I had one-to-one sessions and mentoring. It's been positive to address various issues and not feel you are in trouble. My mind has now changed, I've realised I was doing more harm than good."

I can't imagine it would be an easy task to persuade an ultra-religious man that what he is doing is wrong, when he is convinced that his fight is for Allah, and he can justify all the violence with verses from the Quran. But according to Harry Fletcher, of the National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO), if they want to make any progress at all, in hopes of at least converting some terrorists to constructive human beings,

.. the need for a comprehensive, formal strategy was becoming increasingly urgent as growing numbers of terror offenders were being scheduled for release.

"What we would like to see now is attention given to strategies both inside prison and out that would offer de-radicalisation and reduce the risk to the public."

You have to wonder, though, if these so-called 'de-radicalized men' have truly seen the light, or are just faking it. Frankly, I would have a very difficult time trusting anyone who claimed to have changed his radical views on religion, I suppose one never knows. What I do know, is that it will take a concerted effort, and a huge one at that, to change the way they think.