The path of violent extremism becomes attractive for everyone who feels discriminated - Shambilov

Bishkek, Oct. 25, 2018. /Kabar/. There is no pill for radicalism and extremism and it cannot be cured with a click, Regional Director of the Penal Reform International Office (PRI) Azamat Shambilov told at the Central Asian Dialogue on Effective Prison Management of Violent Extremist and Terrorist Offenders.

In his opinion, it is necessary to designate that consideration of the motives that contribute to the involvement of convicts in violent extremism in places of deprivation and restraint of liberty requires an individual approach.

“The path of violent extremism becomes attractive to anyone who feels discriminated. The staff involved in working with this category of convicted persons should consist of such specialists as professional counselors, social workers, theologians, imams, psychiatrists and psychologists. In addition, when selecting methods of re-socialization, it is extremely important to calculate the risks of potential threats,” Shambilov said.

He said that it is important for the system to focus also on the gender and age aspect, since if everyone without exception is included in the rehabilitation process, this can lead to a large percentage of failures.

“In the conditions of the growing threats of the spread of ideas of extremism and terrorism, the penal system must be proactive. Rehabilitation is impossible in conditions of overcrowding of institutions, poorly trained staff, an atmosphere of fear, violence and mistrust,” Shambilov said.