Rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and other prisoners vulnerable to radicalisation demands holistic approach in order to cover their needs but also to be aware of the risks for safe and inclusive society. Therefore, it should be ensured that rehabilitation and reintegration practices are supported by a solid legal framework and regulations which help in maintaining the legitimacy and effectiveness of these efforts including inter-institutional cooperation. 

With this in mind, the Council of Europe is supporting prison staff in Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthen their capacities and protocols in managing and rehabilitating violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and, in cooperation with local institutions, effectively reintegrating them into the society.

For this reason, six local interagency coordination forums were organised in the period between May and November 2024 across Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The forums gathered 119 practitioners from 25 municipalities representing prisons, law enforcement agencies, social centres, a mental-health centre, non-governmental organisation and Ministries of Justice to discuss and enhance their understanding of and knowledge on exchange of information on individual cases of VEPs and those exhibiting signs of radicalisation, and discussed issues related to their penal and post-penal treatment with an aim to strengthen the inter-institutional cooperation. The discussions also offered valuable insights into the causes and dynamics of violent extremism, while identifying effective strategies for managing this category of inmates.

Furthermore, through practical examples and simulation exercises the participants strengthened their skills and knowledge on the practical implementation of newly developed standard operational procedures and protocols related to admission of VEPs and their time in prison, as well as to their preparation for release.

The participants agreed that such activities are important for understanding the roles and processes of different institutions in relation to this category of prisoners, for enhanced awareness and understanding of causes of violent extremism and highlighted the need for more such activities in order to continuously improve cooperation and adapt the approaches based on observed trends and good practice from local communities.

The participants emphasized the need for a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of radicalisation, enhanced cross-sectoral cooperation, and stronger collaboration at local government levels. They also highlighted the importance of institutional partnerships, including joint meetings involving prison staff, police, and social services.

These activities were facilitated with the support of the local civil society organisation “Atlantska Iniciativa” which acted on the basis of a grant agreement signed with the Council of Europe  under the framework of the Council of Europe action “Ensuring Sustainable Penitentiary Actions in managing rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ESPA-VEP)” funded under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.