The renunciation of hatred, violence and extremist attitudes is a long and tedious process. Ideologically motivated thought patterns and violent behaviour are deeply anchored in the self-image of adolescents and adults. Dissociation from this type of thinking takes time, support and trusting relationships, so they can conceptualise and pursue an alternative life path on their own. Based on their personal strengths and the emerging communication, relationship and conflict-solving resources, the young people begin to make positive changes in their lives over the course of the deradicalisation training.

Violence Prevention Network has developed a non-confrontational approach that bridges the gap between accepting and questioning elements based on a pedagogical, resource-oriented philosophy. It also avoids humiliating the participants. The goal of the qualification is to impart knowledge about the psychosocial dynamics underlying violence, ideologisation and radicalisation. It also aims to establish confidence in dealing with ideologised and radicalised clientèle.

Basic principles

Trust as a prerequisite

An essential prerequisite for the success of the deradicalisation training is the relationship work with the participants. The training is designed to place all participants on equal footing. Intercultural competence, empathy for life stories and experiences of the participants along with absolute transparency with regard to the dissemination of information are important prerequisites for building trust and creating a stable working relationship. Only a stable working relationship can withstand the delineation of boundaries, differences of opinion, and critical questioning related to inhuman ideologies. It makes it possible to encourage participants to think and initiate dissociation processes.

Respect and appreciation

Deradicalisation is only possible through trust and mutual appreciation. Therefore, participants in training are not reduced to their crime, but treated as individuals with unique strengths and weaknesses – with a very specific biography. However, that does not mean that their actions or attitudes are accepted. The discussion surrounding their prejudiced and even inhuman ways of thinking and acting as well as the processing of their crime is done without humiliation or degradation. The trainers speak on eye-level but never shy away from taboo topics. They allow conflict-laden discourse, so they can reflect on it together with the participants and thus generate new perspectives.

Voluntary participation

Extremist orientations and patterns of violent behaviour are deeply rooted in the participants. Confrontational or moralising approaches in an enforcement context may, under certain circumstances, intensify existing patterns and provoke defensive reactions. These methods are often perceived as questioning the entire person and are therefore rejected in order to protect their own identity.

Participation in the deradicalisation programme by Violence Prevention Network is therefore based on a voluntary principle. Although participation is often mandated in the correctional plan, the willingness to participate is strongly promoted by the level of awareness and the positive ratings of former participants. Experience shows that inmates are happy to participate in the training because of its good reputation. In correctional facilities where Violence Prevention Network has been active for some time, the inmates know that participating has a positive impact on their personal development as well as their life after imprisonment. 

You can read all about our tertiary prevention in prisons in English language here and in German language here.