This Analytical Brief, conducted in line with the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), provides an overview of data on and trends in violent extremist prisoners (VEPs), or persons who have been detained or convicted on the basis of alleged (or proven) involvement in terrorism-related offences. The brief analyzes the main challenges that have been noted regarding the management of VEPs across Member States and promising practices that could help States to improve their management of violent extremism conducive to terrorism in prison. In this regard, the brief covers elements such as the importance of respecting and promoting human rights in VEP management, tailoring approaches to address the distinct needs of women VEPs, and the need to address all forms of violent extremism conducive to terrorism, including attacks committed on the basis of xenophobia, racism, and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief (XRIRB).
CTED Analytical Briefs are intended to provide the Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee, United Nations agencies, policymakers and other relevant actors with a concise analysis of specific issues, trends, and developments. This study was prepared in close consultation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and was funded by the European Union, the Netherlands, and UNOCT.