Detecting terrorism risk behaviours in prisons: a thematic analysis

ABSTRACT

Detecting and monitoring prisoners who present a risk of committing terrorism is an important objective of prison authorities. A key practice in many prison services is for prison staff to observe prisoner behaviours that may indicate such risk. However, there is a dearth of research that systematically examines which behaviours signify, or prison staff consider to signify, terrorism risk. This study addresses this issue by systematically examining the nature and prevalence of different behaviours indicated across a large and unique international data set of both open and closed sources, which primarily focusses on Islamist groups and ideologies. Reflexive thematic analysis identifies 29 distinct behaviours (subthemes), brigaded under 6 domains of functioning (main themes). Tentative findings suggest that many behaviours are consistently identified across open and closed data sources, indicating these are similar in different jurisdictions – although how they manifest locally may not be – and in both the fields of research and practice. Whilst some behaviours may (also) signify general non-compliance in prisons, others appear more distinct in potentially signifying terrorism risk. Finally, this practice appears over-focussed on prisoner behaviours that signify risk, rather than protection or resilience. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical, methodological, and operational issues.

KEYWORDS:

• prisons
• terrorism
• risk
• detection
• behaviour
• radicalisation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Christopher Dean

Christopher Dean is a chartered and registered consultant forensic psychologist, director of Identify Psychological Services Ltd and senior fellow at the Global Center on Cooperative Security. Over the past 14 years, he has pioneered the development of innovative, evidence-based assessments, interventions, and approaches to prevent ideologically justified violence in correctional settings, including the Extremism Risk Guidelines (ERG22+) and Healthy Identity Intervention (HII). He provides training and consultancy to governments and correctional services around the world and has contributed to significant research and publications in this field, including the Council of Europe’s Handbook for Prison and Probation Services Regarding Radicalisation and Violent Extremism.