ABSTRACT
The comparative analysis provided in this chapter identifies significant differences between prisons and jails, particularly how they are managed and the resultant inmate cultures. This also has a significant impact on the way Violent Extremist Offenders (VEOs) cope in the various correctional systems and the extent to which they may or may not radicalise other inmates. Even prisons or jails within the same country often have different objectives and standards from one another. To add support to the findings from our primary research described in chapters six and seven, we conducted a comparative analysis of other international prison systems holding VEOs. This chapter examines four correctional systems in member countries of the European Union (EU), including the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, and Belgium. These countries form a small representation of the member states currently dealing with terrorist incidents in the European Union (EU). European countries have had a longer history of dealing with terrorism than those examined in the previous chapter. However, since the 1970s and 80s, there is a changing pattern of terrorism. Many of the countries have become more concerned about the threat deriving from Islamic terrorist groups, such as al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State or Daesh. Multiple attacks have been carried out in Europe in the name of these groups over the past decade. The increasing focus on Islamic terrorist groups is reflected by statistics on the increasing number of arrests, criminal proceedings, and detention or incarceration of VEOs.
