Vast majority of deradicalisation programmes ‘ineffective’

Damning Home Office report raises serious
questions about flagship Prevent

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Of the 33 government-funded programmes designed to safeguard
vulnerable people from far-right and religious extremist threats
which were analysed, only two were found to be effective, The Times reports.

The study by the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), identified
failures in approach to deradicalisation in schools, youth centres,
sports clubs and English-language classes.

Participants in the study felt their freedom of expression had
been restricted and teachers would refuse to engage in topics over
fears of bringing up matters of race and religion without appearing
discriminatory.

The Daily Express says that until the “shock
intervention” by BIT, many of these programmes had claimed a
success rate of more than 90% “after self-evaluation”.

The Times says the findings “raise questions
about the government’s Prevent programme”, its controversial
flagship counter-extremism initiative.

The scheme, which was brought in after the 7/7
bombings to deal with threats from Islamist and far-right
extremism, has since expanded to make it a statutory duty for
schools, hospitals, prisons and local authorities to report
concerns about those at risk of turning to extremism.

This has led to accusations the government is forcing teachers
to spy on their pupils, doctors on patients, as well as effectively
criminalising specific communities – which in turn drives them
towards radicalisation.

The new Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, this week threw his support behind the programme as he
unveiled the government’s revamped counter-terrorism strategy.

The shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, has called for Prevent
to be reviewed, and claimed that it can be counterproductive; but
Javid reaffirmed his commitment to the scheme saying
“misapprehensions around Prevent are often based on
distortions”.

Opacity and prejudice surrounding Prevent from both sides has so
far shielded it from scrutiny, but the latest figures raise serious
questions about its value.