The state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is contemplating a deradicalisation programme in prisons to prevent extremist groups from recruiting. The ATS is also attempting to screen individuals at the local level to detect vulnerability to radicalisation.
ATS teams had earlier this year begun an intervention programme in educational institutes about indoctrination on the internet and how to guard against it. “Deradicalisation is complex. Recidivism is a possibility,” a senior ATS official said. “Incidents like the Dadri lynching can deal a blow to years of effort by us,” he added.
Experts suggested that trusted community leaders or NGOs should be roped in for intervention in prisons. The effort will involve busting myths that cause radical elements to feel dis-empowered or alienated, while offering incentives for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
“Prison deradicalisation programmes have been conducted in the Middle East and South East Asia with varying degrees of success,” said V Balachandran, former special secretary, cabinet secretariat. “Singapore has obtained the best results,” he added.
A study on countering extremism by the Qatar International Academy of Security Studies (QIASS) and Soufan Group said Singapore has volunteer religious clerics forming the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG). They emphasize on the importance of moderation during meetings with detained terror suspects. The Singapore approach is clinical, with regular psychological testing and risk assessments. “But there are challenges,” said Balachandran.
In Indonesia, the government had success in disengaging Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) members in prison. But the JI found women committed to the cause and married them off to its imprisoned members to keep the latter engaged. The Indonesian authorities therefore needed to adapt, the QIASS study found.
“When an individual joins an extremist outfit, his family is ostracised. Singapore’s RRG looks after these families,” said Balachandran. “We need to consider if we can support such families,” he said.
To detect vulnerability to radicalisation, the ATS is attempting to screen individuals at the local level, including high schools and colleges. Peculiar behaviour, hateful language or violent incidents at school or in society are among the factors being looked out for. “We want parents to report such behaviour. We are taking the help of community leaders to reach out to parents,” an ATS official said. “If community engagement increases and communities see and feel the positive concern of government agencies, they would definitely respond,” the official said.
A training programme for ATS officials is also on the cards where religious scholars from across the world have been invited for a talk on extremism.