Segregate high-risk inmates to prevent radicalisation in prisons: Centre to states

To prevent the spread of radicalisation of prisoners in jails across the country, the Centre has written to all heads of state prisons asking them to segregate high-risk inmates inclined towards propagating the ideology of radicalisation from general prisoners, to minimise the risk of indoctrination.

States have been even asked to consider setting up independent high security prison complexes to house hardened and radicalised prisoners and terrorists, to prevent them from influencing other inmates. Hardened 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 states have been told by the Centre.

At places where setting up an independent high-security complex is not feasible, it may be ensured that prisons develop a separate wing or a block for such hardened criminals to help prevent mingling of such dangerous prisoners with other first-time offender prisoners, in particular, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed the states.

The communication to states’ home secretaries and DGs of prison departments by the Union Home Ministry is part of its efforts to check the radicalisation of vulnerable individuals in prisons and also to undertake an exercise for de-radicalisation of such people to preserve general public order.

“Radicalisation in prisons is becoming an increasingly critical challenge in the global context and is often found to be a precursor to several criminal activities…. 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," said the letter.

The correspondence to states has been sent as part of the Centre’s efforts to launch de-radicalisation programmes and counselling sessions in prisons and correctional institutions across the country. In the context of prisons, radicalisation can be typically dangerous, as prisons are closed spaces where social isolation, group dynamics and lack of oversight can foster extreme points of view. Prisoners can often become vulnerable to radical narratives owing to feelings of alienation, tendency towards violent behaviour, or anti-social attitudes. In some cases, radicalised inmates may engage in acts of violence or orchestrate attacks against prison staff, fellow inmates, or even external

targets, the MHA stated in the letter.

“It is therefore important to address the issue of radicalisation in prisons for reducing the risks of violent extremism, fostering rehabilitation, ensuring nationalsecurity, and supporting successful reintegration of prisoners into society," it added further.

To address the malady of radicalisation in prisons, the Centre has suggested a slew of measures to states for application in their respective jurisdictions.

The states have been advised to develop standardised screening tools for 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.

MHA has also suggested the states to hold regular “targeted de-radicalisation programmes” tailored for individual inmates’ psychological and ideological needs.

These may include cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling by mental health professionals, and engagement with qualified religious scholars and trained social workers on a periodic basis, the states have been advised.

Also continued contact between inmates and their family members may contribute to their emotional stability and can act as a moderating influence, the MHA has suggested to states, urging them to incorporate these suggestions in their prison management practices for addressing the issue of radicalisation in prisons in a proactive manner.

India