Prison extremism on the rise, but only 12 inmates have been through deradicalisation program

EXCLUSIVE: JUST 12 prisoners have gone through the state’s deradicalisation program, despite almost 100 inmates suspected extremism being monitored.

Five prisoners are considered to have been radicalised while in custody.

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JUST 12 prisoners have gone through the state’s deradicalisation program, despite Corrections monitoring almost 100 inmates who are suspected of holding extremist views.

The Daily Telegraph also understands that five prisoners are considered to have been radicalised while in custody.

It comes as government MP Damien Tudehope calls for changes to the parole system to force Corrections to certify that an offender is not radicalised before they are eligible for release.

Currently, close to 100 prisoners are on a monitoring list for being suspected of holding extremist ideologies of various types.

The Liberal MP wants the State Parole Authority (SPA) to be handed a certificate that states that to the best of the department’s knowledge, the inmate “has not been involved in radicalisation” and has not been in contact with people inside or outside jail that suggests they are on the path to extremist views.

“In the absence of such a certificate there should be a presumption against parole,” Mr Tudehope said.

It is understood that Corrective Services Commissioner, Peter Severin is open to the idea.

The eradication and containment of extremist views within NSW jails remains a challenge for the state. An ongoing concern is that prisoners who hold such views can continue to spread them among others in the community if they are not detected prior to the parole board assessing their case.

Ahmed Elomar, brother of slain jihadi Mohammed Elomar, being released from Goulburn Supermax Correctional Centre last August. Picture: Ray Strange.

The government recently announced changes that would force the SPA to consider terror links and associations when deciding whether to grant parole.

The changes followed the 2016 release of Hyde Park rioter Ahmed Elomar — brother of slain jihadi, Mohamed Elomar — despite Mr Severin’s argument he should not be granted parole until he underwent a deradicalisation program.

Currently, close to 100 prisoners are on a monitoring list for being suspected of holding extremist ideologies of various types.

However, only 12 inmates have “voluntarily participated” in the PRISM deradicalisation and engagement program since the trial started a year ago.

The eradication and containment of extremist views within NSW jails remains a challenge for the state.

Corrections staff are trained to watch for warning signs of radicalisation such as forming groups, shouting slogans and other behavioural signs.

The voluntary PRISM program involves a multidisciplinary team that is led by a psychologist and includes an imam. The centralised team works across the state and focuses on re-engaging at-risk inmates with education and channelling their energy into being a productive member of society. It is understood to be undergoing tweaks and changes.

A Corrective Services spokeswoman said the number of prisoners “suspected of holding radical views has increased slightly in recent years, in line with the state’s expanding prison population”.