Prison Radicalization Essay
Introduction
Prison radicalization is not new to the penal system. The prison environment is an ideal and convenient place for radical religious beliefs and extremist ideas. Yet over the years, prison radicalization has evolved into what seems to be an uncontrollable epidemic among a specific group of inmates. Prison radicalization threatens the mechanism society uses to contain its worse of the worse and has the potential to spread beyond prison walls. Radical views and extremists beliefs have been adapted and fostered behind prison walls. In Europe, organizations such as The Irish Republican Army (IRA), founded by Michael Collins in 1916 and The Red Army Faction in Germany are two such organizations that used the prison system to recruit members. Here in the US, The Aryan Brotherhood, initially just a white prison gang, got its start …show more content…
Historically, prison radicalization is deeply rooted in the US prison system and correctional officials seem nonchalant to its existence until it surfaces and outside of conventional method, powerless to control it. What seems to be very evident among the social science researchers is a genuine concern about a subject that is becoming more and more volatile. The research also demonstrates that there are many victims of prison radicalization. From the inmates who’d rather not get involved to society as a whole. Researchers have not only identified components that contribute to prison radicalization but have also recognized the role prison ministerial staff contribute to the extremist conduct of offenders. Improperly trained, understaffed, underfunded and sometimes radical thinking of correctional chaplaincy or Imams have the ability to sway the perceptions of inmates and underscores the significant need for critical observation and monitoring of its
Prison radicalization is not new to the penal system. The prison environment is an ideal and convenient place for radical religious beliefs and extremist ideas. Yet over the years, prison radicalization has evolved into what seems to be an uncontrollable epidemic among a specific group of inmates. Prison radicalization threatens the mechanism society uses to contain its worse of the worse and has the potential to spread beyond prison walls. Radical views and extremists beliefs have been adapted and fostered behind prison walls. In Europe, organizations such as The Irish Republican Army (IRA), founded by Michael Collins in 1916 and The Red Army Faction in Germany are two such organizations that used the prison system to recruit members. Here in the US, The Aryan Brotherhood, initially just a white prison gang, got its start …show more content…
Historically, prison radicalization is deeply rooted in the US prison system and correctional officials seem nonchalant to its existence until it surfaces and outside of conventional method, powerless to control it. What seems to be very evident among the social science researchers is a genuine concern about a subject that is becoming more and more volatile. The research also demonstrates that there are many victims of prison radicalization. From the inmates who’d rather not get involved to society as a whole. Researchers have not only identified components that contribute to prison radicalization but have also recognized the role prison ministerial staff contribute to the extremist conduct of offenders. Improperly trained, understaffed, underfunded and sometimes radical thinking of correctional chaplaincy or Imams have the ability to sway the perceptions of inmates and underscores the significant need for critical observation and monitoring of its