The " Radicalization " Process !

Law enforcement has a problem deciding how to deal with jihadist terrorists who have been convicted and sentenced to prison.  They are regarded as very dangerous prisoners and in New South Wales they are concentrated in our most secure prison - the Supermax at Goulburn.   They are kept separate from other prisoners to avoid the spread of radicalization.

At present, official policy relies heavily on isolation.  Prisoners are not allowed mobile phones and contact with friends and families is restricted to monitored land line phone calls in which they are prohibited from conversing in Arabic.   It is evident that a clandestine supply chain exists and that contraband finds its way into prisons in exchange for money.  That has always existed across all levels of incarceration.

The terrorists who exist in Australia are linked to Islamic State and we therefore contend that this is a religious war.  The aim of Islamic State is to conquer and install a Caliphate and impose their Wahabistic version of Islam on all that they control.  Where they reign we have seen incredible cruelty and they do not hesitate to use social media to illustrate their way of life to the world.

A terrorist in an Australian prison has a lot to offer those with whom he has contact.  He is a man of power representing what others see as a successful organization which until recently has carved out a kingdom in the Middle East.  One of the key recruiting issues is the well publicised fate of non Muslim women captured in conquered territory.   They were regarded as sex slaves and those not desired by terrorists are sold in slave markets to the highest bidder.  To unsuccessful, low life ordinary prisoners this would sound a huge incentive to join terrorist ranks.   It is not surprising that jailed terrorists can successfully radicalize new recruits.

Some psychologists question the depth of religious fervour driving many jihadists. It seems to be part of the human psyche to seek to attain power and this jihadist outlook sheds both mercy and the usual moral restraints that apply.  It offers a life of excitement and the ability to exercise a degree of power unimaginable in their normal life in the lower social order.   Such people are in prison because they represent society's failures.

This is nothing new.  Gang bosses who have emerged to the top of the criminal heap by cunning and bravado have always recruited gangs during their time in prison. They offer a degree of protection to those who come under their reign and use their wealth to disperse favours to reinforce their rule.  In todays world, jihadists are the people who can dispense this power to the lower order.

A school of thought is emerging that jihadists maintain their cohesion by being congregated together. Should they be spread widely in the general prison community this isolation would tend to sap their conviction to jihad and aid rehabilitation.  This is a style of imprisonment that is being tried in Victoria.

Once again, results will be determined by the individual characteristics of each jihadist.   Those recruited by the prospect of power and excitement will probably crumble first but it is a worthy experiment and a reasonable alternative to the present method - which is not producing a result.