MHA issues guidelines to counter radicalisation in prisons

In order to curb the growing threat of radicalisation within prisons and allow the smooth rehabilitation of inmates in society, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday urged authorities to address the root cause of extreme ideologies to stop it from precolating to vulnerable individuals.

In a circular titled, De-Radicalisation Programs and Counselling Sessions in Prisons and Correctional Institutions, the ministry pointed out that prisons are "closed spaces where social isolation, group dynamics and lack of oversight can foster extreme points of view."

Moreover feelings of alienation can push vulnerable individuals towards violent tendencies or anti-social attitudes which can allow radical ideas to foster among prisoners.

"It is therefore important to address the issue of radicalisation in prisons for reducing the risks of violent extremism, fostering rehabilitation, ensuring national security, and supporting successful reintegration of prisoners into society," the circular read.

This propelled the Ministry of Home Affairs to address the issue of radicalisation in prisons and ensure national security and support the successful reintegration of prisoners into society.

Thus, the ministry issued guidelines for all states/UTs to take note of and apply in their respective jurisdictions for addressing and countering the issue of radicalisation in prisons.

It said the states/UTs need to develop standardised screening tools for the identification of inmates. These tools can help in assessing the behavioural patterns, associations and ideology-based indicators of all prisoners admitted to prison institutions.

Individual risk assessments should be periodically conducted both at the time of entry of the prisoner and during his/her period of incarceration at periodic intervals.

For this, prison departments may coordinate with the law enforcement and intelligence agency units in the state/UT for identifying inmates who can pose a risk of radical influence to other inmates.

The MHA guidelines said high-risk inmates who are inclined towards propagating the ideology of radicalisation should be segregated from the general prison population to minimise the risk of indoctrination.

The states/ UTs may consider establishing an independent high security prison complex in their jurisdiction for housing hardened/ radicalised prisoners, terrorists etc. separately with a view to prevent them from influencing other inmates.

These inmates should be kept under enhanced surveillance using monitoring tools and intelligence mechanisms to detect and address potential threats and radical networks within the prison.

The MHA said promoting continued contact between inmates and their family members may contribute to their emotional stability and can act as a moderating influence. The states and UTs may, therefore, pay attention to this fact, it said.

(with PTI inputs)