Disengagement in Franstalige penitentiaire context

Abstract

This dissertation aims at identifying disengagement interventions occurring in Frenchspeaking penitentiary context. Disengagement refers to the ceasing of violent deeds. Violent radicalisation is defined here as the process leading to the perpetration of violence, under impetus of Islamic extremism. Firstly, the policy vision of the French Community is examined. This is compared to the Flemish viewpoint. Subsequently, the concrete penitentiary interventions,developed by the French Community are analysed by means of interviews. As both, the context wherein interventions occur and their content are fundamental to accomplish disengagement, they are displayed separately.

The French and the Flemish Community share a similar view on disengagement. However,its concretisation within and outside prisons differs across the country. The Federation Wallonia-Brussels has developed the Réseau Anti-Radicalisme (RAR), a structure which prevents and combats violent radicalisation. This organisation is based on the Canadian example (le Centre de Prévention de la radicalisation menant à la violence) and is accessible for everyone; prisoners included. Besides, the existing penitentiary support services of the French Community have been reinforced through additional funding and training. The aim is thus to strengthen the existing services offer. In contrast, no new structure has been developed in Flanders outside of prisons. However, the Flemish Parliament intends to implement individual reintegration programs forvulnerable detainees. Two radicalisation consuls have been appointed in that light.

The initiatives of the three external workers in the French-speaking D-Rad:ex section have been examined. Although none of them aims directly at disengagement, they all contribute to it. The findings are complemented by the viewpoint of a lawyer. Overall, the specificity of the DRad:ex context, wherein disengagement should take place, is pinpointed. The intense security aspects of this regime complicate the implementation of interventions. Besides, some content related similarities are established between disengagement initiatives and other interventions. The (psychosocial) needs of “radicalised” prisoners in terms of disengagement seem to match with those of other prisoners.

In summary, no autonomous disengagement program has been found in the Frenchspeaking prisons. This is because of the current policy philosophy, which aims at upholding the existing supply of external penitentiary services. Through the cooperation of the external social services and the RAR, the French Community attempts at implementing an effective prison policy.

Date of Award	2018
Original language	English
Supervisor	Stef Decoene (Promotor)