Recidivism

Editorial Analysis for IAS - Nord Stream Pipeline

Recidivism

 

 

Context:

  • In recent times, recidivism has increased, as some of the released terrorists have carried out terrorist acts, including Ahmed Hassan (Parsons Green Bomber; 2017), Usman Khan (the London Bridge attacker; 2019), Kutjim Fejzulai (Central Vienna attacker; 2020), and Ali Harbi Ali (Murderer of Sir Amess; 2021).

 

What is recidivism?

  • The act of continuing to commit crimes even after having been punished or the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend.

 

 

Background:

 

  • For over a decade, counter-radicalisation programmes have been trying to de-radicalise and rehabilitate violent extremists and terrorists.
  • Various countries have developed different counter-radicalisation programmes with varied results
  • Some international policy organisations such as the Counter Extremism Project, and think-tanks like the European Policy Centre, have expressed concern that certain individuals receiving therapy at counter-radicalisation centres may have learnt the art of deceiving the psychologists and in passing the tests conducted there to procure an early release from the prisons.
  • Furthermore, what is worrisome is that officials responsible for de-radicalisation programmes, such as Prevent(United Kingdom), have, in some instances, not been able to accurately assess those posing a grave danger to mainstream society.

 

About:
  • The professional counsellors reportedly perceive disguised compliance as an indication of severance of ties with violent extremist ideologies.
  • However, this misplaced optimism can have cataclysmic repercussions for the overall community.
  • The officials heading the de-radicalisation programmes outside prisons ought to approach the referred cases with similar caution.
  • Although the lattermost has not committed terrorist acts, their ideological orientation could propel them towards inflicting violence in the foreseeable future.
  • In both circumstances, terrorists and radicalised individuals could set in motion a chain of events wherein they could create an asymmetrical power dynamic vis-à-vis the state authorities.
  • Through subterfuge, they could hoodwink the law-enforcement officials and mental health professionals, convincing the latter of innocence and commitment towards assimilation with the mainstream society, and adherence to the rule of law.
  • This places the authorities in a significantly vulnerable position as they attempt to decipher and eliminate potential security threats within and outside prison environments.

Source: THE HINDU.