A perpetual dilemma
Involvement in terrorism is a psychosocial phenomenon that comprises at least three distinctive phases: becoming involved, being involved, and disengaging, which in many cases does not lead to successful de-radicalisation. Individual involvement in terrorism is due to personality factors and association with various organisational contexts and groups that further lead an individual to commit to acts of terror. De-radicalisation is, however, the process of de-programming radical individuals and reintegrating them into the society as normal and useful citizens.
Intrinsically linked with de-radicalisation are the risks of recidivism. According to National Institute of Justice, recidivism is the most essential concept in criminal justice. It refers to a person’s relapse into a criminal behaviour after undergoing an intervention for a previous crime. Recidivism is measured by criminal acts that probably resulted in re-arrest, reconviction or going back to prison. But some individuals face difficulty in reintegrating into society, sometimes because society does not accept them as normal people.
Terrorists do not fight on traditional battlefields; they fight among civilians usually on some ideology and increase the risks of collateral damage thus making it a reason of major concern. Some international de-radicalisation programs, in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Singapore, Netherlands and UK to name a few, have been operational since 9/11. These terrorist rehabilitation and de-radicalisation programs have been adapted to their specific security threats, legal frameworks and culture.
The Kingdom of Saudia Arabia’s de-radicalisation and rehabilitation program is considered the most effective so far. Detainees from Guantanamo Bay prison are sent directly to Saudia Arabia where they are kept in a rehabilitation facility and de-programmed psychologically and socially. The recidivism rates seen in this case are less as compared to other countries. This is because the model is highly budgeted and focuses on de-programming radical individuals socially and psychologically through various therapies. There are interventions based on assessments of what caused the individual to indulge in committing a terrorist activity and most importantly the model includes transitional and post release services. These incentives include money for establishing a career, home, car, etc, with extensive surveillance. This creates a sense of existence among de-radicalised individuals and gives them self-confidence in reintegrating into the society.
According to the rational choice theory, terrorist action is derived from a conscious, rational, calculated decision to take a particular type of action to achieve a socio-political or a religious goal. The psychopathology of a terrorist is as normal as any ordinary person’s. An insane person is mentally challenged and does not know right from wrong however; a sociopath precisely knows the difference between right and wrong but chooses wrong for selfish reasons without pangs of conscience. Sociopaths may sometimes indulge in terrorist activity but terrorists are not by virtue of their religious and political violence necessarily sociopaths. Societies like ours, where terrorism is widespread, consider radical individuals sociopaths. A radical individual is considered a sociopath for the reason that due to a socioeconomic crunch and insufficient resources, the individual is bound to join such organisations that guarantee funding, food, shelter and provide for their families also. Thus, the recidivism rates after safe de-radicalisation programs are significant because the de-programmed individuals find it hard to fuse into the population and identify these organisations as attractive.
Terrorist de-radicalisation/disengagement and rehabilitation program implementation requires realistic and practicable time frames and expectations. There is no ‘silver bullet solution’ that will yield 100 per cent success rates for counterterrorism, but is clearly seen that such programs are well funded, with governments taking keen interest in eradicating terrorism.
Pakistan also needs a multidimensional approach, a combination of measures rather than focusing only on one component, i.e., de-radicalising through rehabilitation. A resource intensive effort is required that includes a considerable amount of funding from the government to set up a program that provides a favourable environment for individuals and simultaneously educates the masses in order to control recidivism rates and allow them to reintegrate back into the society without any impediment. Furthermore, monitoring the de-radicalised individuals and providing them monetary assistance to help them build their lives will definitely prevent them from joining the terrorist groups which in return will decrease recidivism.
