Experiment in Saudi Arabia’s experiment to rehabilitate Islamic Extremists (Terrorism) §
- Religious Sub-Committee:
- The largest of the four subcommittees
- Approximately 150 clerics
- Directly engage detainees through prisoner dialogues and counseling
- Conduct course called
- Understanding Jihad
- “Right jihads” and “wrong jihads”
- “Proper time” for jihad
- Emphasis is on avoiding takfir
- Psychological Subcommittee
- Uses experts in psychology, psychiatry, and social sciences.
- Assess the social status of prisoners and diagnose any psychological problems.
- Most of the counseling that the inmates receive is focused on helping them to develop healthier family relationships.
- Counselors spend considerable time with the prisoners and reportedly get to know them well.
- Security Subcommittee
- Uses experts in psychology, psychiatry, and social sciences.
- Assess the social status of prisoners and diagnose any psychological problems.
- Most of the counseling that the inmates receive is focused on helping them to develop healthier family relationships.
- Counselors spend considerable time with the prisoners and reportedly get to know them well.
Program Environment §
- On arrival, each prisoner is given a suitcase filled with gifts: clothes, a digital watch, school supplies and toiletries.
- Inmates are encouraged to ask for their favorite foods.
- Volleyball nets, PlayStation games and Ping-Pong and foosball tables are all provided.
- Families also play an integral role in the rehabilitation process. Relatives are encouraged to visit prisoners and become involved in the Counseling Program.
- New prison facilities were specifically designed to accommodate family visits, including shared meals and meetings with scholars.
Post-Program Release §
- Most prisoners complete the program within two months.
- Upon release, each former jihadist is required to sign a pledge that he has forsaken extremist sympathies; the head of his family must sign as well.
- Due to Tradition: Saudi’s head of family signing a pledge, if a person break it, they are dishonorable
- Some also receive a car and aid from the Interior Ministry in renting a home.
- Social workers assist former terrorists and their families for education, employment and, usually, marriage.
- 98% Success Rate
- Problems
- Experiment in Indonesia: failed
- Terrorists are more well-versed and converted instructors
- Programs rely on terrorists having been detained.
- Have program “graduates” actually changed their views or are they simply being more careful?
- Even with those who have changed, is this change long-lasting?
- How effectively can governments maintain long term monitoring?
- Post-release monitoring focuses internally; little evidence of tracking terrorists’ activities in other countries.
- Probably more chances of success with sympathizers and junior personnel than with the more seasoned terrorists.
References §
