Thematic Panel 2 - Annual report 2025

The Strategic Orientations on a Coordinated EU Approach to Prevention of Radicalisation for 2024-2025 emphasise the importance of a strategy that is as comprehensive in its reach as cross-sectoral in its approach. It is within this context, and abiding by the thematic priorities laid out in the said orientations, that the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation has a Thematic Panel (TP) on “Prisons, Rehabilitation and Reintegration”.

The 2025 meetings reached important conclusions: i) the inherent vulnerabilities (e.g., overcrowding, understaffing, poorly regulated and/or structurally conflictive staff-inmate dynamics) of prisons must be addressed; ii) a more balanced approach could place greater emphasis on understanding ‘vulnerabilities’ and identifying ‘opportunities’, complementing existing risk-based frameworks to better align security and development objectives; iii) the countries’ current legal and regulatory framework must be adjusted to meet the operational realities; iv) early-identification is key for successful prevention and intervention; v) adequate cooperation and collaboration require standardised operating procedures (SOPs) and information-sharing mechanisms; vi) the role of NGOs (and families and communities) must be strengthened; vii) initial and continuous up-to-date joint awareness and training is the backbone of preparedness and capacity; viii) a culture of evaluation must be fostered; and ix) sustained funding of the prison, probation, and community entities is vital for continuous intervention.