RADICALIZED OFFENDERS AND SECURITY THREAT GROUPS IN
CORRECTIONAL ENVIRONMENTS
Andrea E. Moser, Ph.D., C.Psych.
Recently, there has been an increasing focus in many countries regarding the challenge of violent
extremists as well as members of Security Threat Groups (e. g., gangs, organized crime) in correctionalsettings. This includes both concerns about the safe management and community reintegration of these
individuals as well as their potential to radicalize and/or recruit others. With respect to violent extremists,
while several countries have long histories of managing individuals and groups who have committed criminal
acts to promote religious or political aims, an increasing number of high profile attacks over the previous two
decades have put an increased focus on establishing a greater understanding of these individuals and how tobest manage them in a carceral setting. In a series of three lectures, key issues related to correctional
management of violent extremists and members of Security Threat Groups (STGs) will be explored, drawing
on both international research as well as work completed by the Correctional Service of Canada.
In the first lecture “Radicalized Offenders and Security Threat Groups: What Do We Know?”, several
themes will be discussed, including definitional issues (i.e., what do we mean by a “radicalized offender”; what
is a Security Threat Group), myths and realities regarding STGs and radicalized offenders, an overview of
research on STGs and violent extremists, and work that has been done to assist in identifying STG members
and radicalized individuals in correctional settings. In addition, international best practices regarding themanagement of radicalized offenders will be discussed.
The focus of the second lecture, “Management of Radicalized Offenders and Security Threat Groups in a
Correctional Context” builds on the first lecture by exploring “What Do We Do” in relation to these offendersʼgroups, concentrating on evidence-based strategies and approaches. Topics covered include: population
management strategies for STGs and radicalized offenders, assessment and intervention approaches, and theimportance of collaboration with external partners. Specific issues to be discussed include accommodation
models, staff training, information sharing, and the importance of all assessment and intervention approaches
being grounded in principles of effective corrections such as the Risk, Needs, Responsivity (RNR) Model(Andrews, Bonta and Hoge, 1990). Research on disengagement from radical behaviour and violent extremism
will also be explored.
The final lecture focuses on “General and Cultural Considerations in the Management of Offenders”
including those who are members of STGs or radicalized. Drawing on research related to specificresponsivity (Andrews, Bonta and Hoge, 1990), the impact of both gender and ethnocultural identity as it
relates to issues of assessment and effective interventions will be reviewed, as well as the implications thatthe research findings in the area have on the correctional management of specific subgroups of offenders.
References:Andrews, D. A., Bonta, J., & Hoge, R. D. (1990). Classification for effective rehabilitation: Rediscovering
psychology. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 17, 19-52.

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