Prisoners with Ties to Terrorism

Describe and Explain the unique challenges associated with the increase in prisoners with ties to terrorism and other extremist groups. Develop a plausible approach that prison administrators could implement in tackling some of the most significant challenges.

One of the challenges associated with the increase in prisoners with ties to terrorism and other extremist groups is the problem of preventing terrorist recruitment in correctional institutions (Hamm, 2007). Another challenge is that prisons can often be where inmates are first introduced to radicalization (Siegel et al., 2019). However, as Jones (2014) notes, it is not necessarily a given outcome that terrorist prisoners will recruit or radicalize others; in fact, a lot of it depends on the type of programs the prison has available. An additional concern is the culture of the prison and whether or not it is giving inmates the dignity they require in order to have a sense of fairness and justice (Burdett et al., 2018). This paper will explain the unique challenges associated with the increase in prisoners with ties to terrorism and extremism, and what a plausible approach for prison administrators could be in addressing these challenges.

The rise in prisoners with ties to terrorism or extremism is due to the fact that terror networks have grown as a criminal group around the world, and this has resulted in more inmates with terror ties. This means that in the closely cramped quarters of prisons today, there are more radical elements that can more easily spread their message of extremism, hate, violence, or radicalization. Yet, depending on the type of environment in which the terrorist inmate dwells, the likelihood of success in spreading extremism may be great or little (Jones, 2014). That is because the environment, the inmate culture, the extent to which a moral code exists among inmates, the nature of the prison regime, social obstacles, religious beliefs,...

The fact is that many elements prime a person for radicalization: it is not simply exposure to the ideology of a terrorist that turns one into a radical; rather, there is a groundwork that is first prepared by years of neglect, prior beliefs or convictions about society or religion, whether the individual has any morality (and what type of morality it is), and so on. These factors will play a part in the decision to embrace terrorism....…the prison and that inmates are given opportunities to appeal decisions or discuss issues with a committee or review board. The goal of this approach is to give voice and the power of self-representation to inmates; this way they are not left wallowing in anger or frustration at their situation or condition. They can take issues to a board or committee and expect that they will be respected and heard. This can give them a sense of justice, and if this sense prevails they will see extremism as a violent alternative that is unattractive and irresponsible in their eyes.

The goal of the prison administration should be to help inmates rehabilitate and restore their sense of justice and belonging to the wider community. Since terrorism and extremism build on fear, anger, and resentment, inmates need to be helped to feel more positive, respected, and upright. Terror and extremism promote ideologies that serve people who feel powerless and who accept that the only way to gain power is through violence. Administrators should therefore realize that by empowering their inmates, they give them the means to rise above the virus of extremism and terrorism: they give them a sense of self-worth and belonging (especially through restorative justice programs) that can build a culture of mindfulness and…