HF III - Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release

Based on the achievements from the implementation of the previous phase of the “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, a joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe, the action continues to strengthen safety and security in the Western Balkans region by improving management and rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and other marginalised and vulnerable prisoners at risk of radicalisation. It promotes and reinforces co-operation, professional networking and exchange of knowledge and best practices between prison, probation practitioners and other stakeholders active in prevention and countering radicalisation and violent extremism in the region. It further fosters multi-sectoral and inter-agency approach in addressing the phenomena of radicalisation and violent extremism and provides guidance to the Beneficiaries in tailoring their preventive and response mechanisms aligned to the needs, priorities and context specific for each Beneficiary.
The Action focuses on three priority areas:

Ensuring sustainable management of VEPs, marginalised and vulnerable prisoners at risk of radicalisation, effective use of VEP specific assessment tools and rehabilitation methodologies and preparing them for release;
Enhancing their post-penal support after release, by assisting their full reintegration and safe return to their communities, ensuring consistency on prison-exit continuum by including all relevant stakeholders in the process (families, mentors, local community, agencies, etc.)
Strengthening the role of the probation services in supervising community sanctions and measures and supporting VEPs on early or conditional release.

The action is implemented in close cooperation with the Ministries of Justice and the P/CVE coordination mechanisms of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Republic of Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia, and includes a wide spectrum of other domestic stakeholders and civil society organizations.
The duration of the action is set at 48 months, and it is expected to be completed by 31 December 2026, with an overall budget of 1,650,000 Euros.

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Back Rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners: practitioners from Western Balkans learn from experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina

@ Council of Europe

On 14 and 15 November 2023, representatives of the ministries of justice and prison administrations of Albania, Kosovo,* Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia visited the High Security State Prison and the Municipality Jajce Centre for Social Welfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina to exchange good practices in preparation for release and provision of post-penal support to violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and marginalised and vulnerable prisoners at risk of radicalisation.

During the visit to the High Security State Prison, the prison practitioners exchanged experiences and gained insights into the legal and institutional framework of the prison system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the system of professional development of its staff, programmes for rehabilitation, re-socialisation and preparation of prisoners for release, while learning also about inter-agency co-operation and community-based support to and management of former VEPs and other categories of prisoners at risk of radicalisation. The participants also visited the Municipality Jajce Centre for Social Welfare and familiarised themselves with the organisational set-up and functioning of the local institutions providing post-penal and reintegration support to such former prisoners upon their return to a local community.

The study visit was organised within the framework of the regional action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release” implemented under Horizontal Facility Phase III for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, co-funded by EU and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.

* All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions, or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United National Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo

Bosnia and Herzegovina 14 and 15 November 2023