The dangers caused by violent extremism in European countries are paramount concerns of the criminal justice system. Prison and probation programs are two working fields where radicalisation, as well as deradicalisation meet. It is therefore important that prison and probation programs play an effective role in preventing violent extremism and raising knowledge regarding (de) radicalisation. Firstly, because people who are sentenced for executing radical acts, end up there. A part of them will remain hardboiled and are determined to be faithful to their ideology. Others might want to quit their radical activities or want to stop being a member of a radicalised group. A third group are prisoners who are at risk of being recruited and get radicalised during imprisonment.
CEP contributes to the EU Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the EU Strategy for Combating Radicalisation and Recruitment to Terrorism by playing an active role in the Prison and Probation Working Group of the Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN) of the EU Directorate-General Home Affairs and by raising awareness on these issues among its members by organising meetings and events.