The management of the Montenegrin penitentiary system recognises the need for developing the skills of its front-line practitioners in proper application of specific instruments and rehabilitation approaches to strengthen the rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs), vulnerable and marginalised prisoners and prisoners at risk of radicalisation.

It is in this context that the European Union and the Council of Europe organised a Training-of-Trainers on the application of such tools and programmes on 5 and 6 June 2024 in Bečići. Representatives of the Directorate for Execution of Criminal Sanctions and Alternative Sanctions, representatives of the National Operative Team for the prevention and countering violent extremism (P/CVE), and representatives of the Ministry of Labour took active part in the training.

The activity took place in the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe regional action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in management of violent extremism in prisons and prevention of further radicalisation after release”, that is a part of the joint programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”. The action continuously supports its beneficiaries in Montenegro through provision of expertise in applying screening tools for recognition of early signs of radicalisation and risk and needs assessment tool. Furthermore, it supports them in tailoring of rehabilitation and pre-release programmes adjusted to their specific needs and context, emphasising capacity-building for practitioners and multidisciplinary and multiagency work as preconditions for a swift transition of released offenders from prison to the community. As the next step, VEP-specific instruments and programme will be put to a piloting due to commence in July 2024.