RAN Thematic Event on the prison-exit continuum: How to create a smooth rehabilitation process from pre- to post- release?, The Hague 22 March 2024

This thematic event brought together perspectives of practitioners with vast knowledge and experience on deradicalisation, disengagement and rehabilitation (DDR) work with violent extremist or terrorist offenders (VETOs) in the prison and post-release societal contexts.

It aimed to collect practitioners’ reflections on the challenges and lessons learnt from the past few years in relation to ensuring a smooth rehabilitation process from pre- to postrelease, through discussing real-life case studies and looking into the current relevant rehabilitation processes under the scope of the prison-exit continuum. 

The goals were to identify and assess new trends, determine what works and understand what needs to be adapted within the predominant approaches and tools used in DDR work. Practitioners examined the RAN Rehabilitation Manual which was published in 2020 to assess its current relevance and formulate recommendations based on new and ongoing challenges and lessons. 

• Although communities are often mentioned in the context of rehabilitation, they are not yet as involved as VETOs and their family. How can we help communities to be more inclusive, how can we benefit more from their healing capacity? The negative image of VETOs poses a challenge. Furthermore “the community” is not an entity and therefore harder to handle compared to formal institutions which align more effectively in a multi-agency approach. 
• Some of the VETOs will need to leave the country after their release. The uncertainty about their future makes it difficult to determine how they should be rehabilitated or reintegrated. Considering this, VETOs may lack incentive to comply with rules or cooperate. This makes it a hard target group for practitioners (particularly concerning safety). Additionally, some VETOs who initially expected to be deported, may ultimately remain in the country and integrate into society. 
• The need for multi-agency/stakeholder collaboration is undisputed. However, there is still room for optimisation in its execution, especially when it comes to legal frameworks for information exchange and connectivity of networks pre- and post-release. 
• Practitioners are mostly convinced that a change for good, through rehabilitation, is possible. However, the perspective held in public debate is often more negative. This complicates trust building and reintegration.
• New ideologies can be covered in current working methods that approach violence and address ideology and biographical work. The most important factor is the personal relationship with the client. Ideology, in a way, is an external factor. 
• Mental health issues are prominent among many, if not most, of imprisoned VETOs. This requires more attention and treatment, as well as having the suitable mental health professionals in multi-agency work. It is also important that the relevant information is exchanged between the different agencies in the prison-exit continuum. 
• Generally, flexibility and agility are key components, also when working with new target groups. Practitioners need some room to manoeuvre when aligning with the needs and intrinsic motivation of VETOs to be rehabilitated. 
• There is a need for an ongoing exchange among practitioners in the field of rehabilitation. Since the topic is dynamic and challenging, it is beneficial to learn from the successes and failures of colleagues.