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Description

"This tool consist of a multi-level radicalisation prevention approach comprising three risk assessment tools, it targets all types of extremism. The toolset focuses on signalling risk and vulnerability in the general population rather than in charged or convicted terrorist offenders. RRAP battery of assessment tools comprises three different levels for the assessment of the radicalisation risk and vulnerability (and, therefore, three different instruments), namely: 1) Individual level (vulnerable inmates): This first level can be defined as the intra-individual level, that is, the one who deals with the assessment of inmates’ beliefs, attitudes, behaviours, emotions and cognitions. The main goal of this level is the identification of vulnerable inmates and to identify in which phase of the radicalisation process they may be in. 2) Inter-individual/group level (among inmates): This second level recognises the inmate as a social being that interacts with the environment in which he/she lives. Recognising the risks associated with contextual/environmental variables, this level aims to assess the risk associated with factors present among inmates; 3) Prison and prison environment level (prison service): the third level, offers a macro approach to the assessment of the radicalisation process, and considers the potential role of prison service, policies, and environment to the occurrence of inmates’ radicalisation. The RRAP comprises three different measures: The first instrument (the Helicopter View) takes into consideration the role of contextual and situational factors in the process of radicalisation and aims to gather information from prison governors and/or administrators. Therefore, it is intended that the targeted population reflect upon the importance of a few items as well as the urgency to address those vulnerabilities in their prison. The response scale of this instrument helps prison governors and administrators to reflect on factors according the Probability (probability of existing/happening and creating a problem) and Consequence (how serious will the consequences be, how urgent do we need to deal with it) of each one of them within his/her prison or country’s prison service; The second measure (the Frontline Behavioural Observation Guidelines) is directed to frontline staff and was considered necessary because of the higher complexity of the initial proposed technical evaluation. This is an instrument developed to raise awareness about radicalisation in prisons and to support frontline staff in signalling behaviours or changes in behaviours that can represent the externalisation of cognitive radicalisation in inmates. The third assessment instrument (the Individual Radicalisation Screening) provides a broad assessment based on putative risk dimensions that have been identified in scientific literature as pathways to radicalisation and violent extremism. Considering different behavioural, emotional and cognitive dimensions related to radicalisation, this assessment will provide a more detailed picture about the risks associated with the specific inmate being assessed. Questions focus on 46 items in 10 dimensions (emotional uncertainty, self-esteem, radicalism, distance and societal disconnection, need to belong, legitimisation of terrorism, perceived in-group superiority, identity fusion and identification, and activism). "

Referring PASTEL cluster

Political, Economical, Societal,

Objectives

a multi-level radicalisation prevention approach comprising three risk assessment tools, it targets all types of extremism. The toolset focuses on signalling risk and vulnerability in the general population rather than in charged or convicted terrorist offenders.

Purpose

Risk assessment , Intervention

Target Groups

Prisoners

End Users

Prison staff

Key findings

The tool was adapted to the specific legal and cultural context of the countries involved in the project, hence the assessment of inmates varied according to the prison context in which it was applied. However, the potential for harm is considerable if the instrument is used incorrectly, or if the user is not familiar with the theoretical and empirical literature pertaining to radicalisation. This instrument can only be used by certified professionals that received the necessary theoretical and practical training and therefore are fully aware of the application realm, strengths and weaknesses of this instrument.

referring project

R2PRIS and R4JUST