Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of programs aimed at preventing radicalization and disengaging known violent extremists. Some programs have targeted individuals through the use of case management approaches and the development of individual intervention plans (e.g., the Desistance an...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Adrian Cherney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
Series:Proceedings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/77/1/20
_version_ 1797536085849407488
author Adrian Cherney
author_facet Adrian Cherney
author_sort Adrian Cherney
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, there has been a proliferation of programs aimed at preventing radicalization and disengaging known violent extremists. Some programs have targeted individuals through the use of case management approaches and the development of individual intervention plans (e.g., the Desistance and Disengagement Program and the Channel program in the UK; the Australian New South Wales Corrections Proactive Integrated Support Model—PRISM—and state-based division initiatives in Australia). There is a broad consensus in the literature that the evaluation of such initiatives has been neglected. However, the evaluation of case-managed interventions to counter violent extremism (CVE) is challenging. They can have small caseloads which makes it difficult to have any comparison or control group. Client participation can vary over time, with no single intervention plan being alike. This can make it hard to untangle the relative influence of different components of the intervention on indicators of radicalization and disengagement. In this presentation, results from primary research that set out to evaluate case-managed CVE interventions in Australia and develop evaluation metrics are presented. This research involves the examination of interventions implemented by New South Wales corrections and state police. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed against a five-point metric of client change. Client change overtime was analyzed using case note information collected by the various interventions on client participation. Results show that client change is not a linear process and that the longer an individual is engaged in a case-managed intervention, the more likely they are to demonstrate change relating to disengagement. Specific case studies are used to illustrate trajectories and turning points related to radicalization and to highlight the role of case-managed interventions in facilitating disengagement. Key elements of effective interventions include the provision of ongoing informal support. Investment in capturing case note information should be a priority of intervention providers. Different challenges confronted by case-managed CVE interventions are highlighted.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T11:54:37Z
format Article
id doaj.art-fe64b2dc5e3d44c7b5ef4ca683ef26b8
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2504-3900
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T11:54:37Z
publishDate 2021-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Proceedings
spelling doaj.art-fe64b2dc5e3d44c7b5ef4ca683ef26b82023-11-21T17:29:59ZengMDPI AGProceedings2504-39002021-04-017712010.3390/proceedings2021077020Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed InterventionsAdrian Cherney0Australian Research Council Future Fellow, School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, AustraliaIn recent years, there has been a proliferation of programs aimed at preventing radicalization and disengaging known violent extremists. Some programs have targeted individuals through the use of case management approaches and the development of individual intervention plans (e.g., the Desistance and Disengagement Program and the Channel program in the UK; the Australian New South Wales Corrections Proactive Integrated Support Model—PRISM—and state-based division initiatives in Australia). There is a broad consensus in the literature that the evaluation of such initiatives has been neglected. However, the evaluation of case-managed interventions to counter violent extremism (CVE) is challenging. They can have small caseloads which makes it difficult to have any comparison or control group. Client participation can vary over time, with no single intervention plan being alike. This can make it hard to untangle the relative influence of different components of the intervention on indicators of radicalization and disengagement. In this presentation, results from primary research that set out to evaluate case-managed CVE interventions in Australia and develop evaluation metrics are presented. This research involves the examination of interventions implemented by New South Wales corrections and state police. The effectiveness of these interventions was assessed against a five-point metric of client change. Client change overtime was analyzed using case note information collected by the various interventions on client participation. Results show that client change is not a linear process and that the longer an individual is engaged in a case-managed intervention, the more likely they are to demonstrate change relating to disengagement. Specific case studies are used to illustrate trajectories and turning points related to radicalization and to highlight the role of case-managed interventions in facilitating disengagement. Key elements of effective interventions include the provision of ongoing informal support. Investment in capturing case note information should be a priority of intervention providers. Different challenges confronted by case-managed CVE interventions are highlighted.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/77/1/20evaluationinterventionscountering violent extremismdisengagementde-radicalizationprisoners
spellingShingle Adrian Cherney
Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions
Proceedings
evaluation
interventions
countering violent extremism
disengagement
de-radicalization
prisoners
title Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions
title_full Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions
title_fullStr Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions
title_short Evaluating Programs to Counter Violent Extremism: The Example of Case-Managed Interventions
title_sort evaluating programs to counter violent extremism the example of case managed interventions
topic evaluation
interventions
countering violent extremism
disengagement
de-radicalization
prisoners
url https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/77/1/20
work_keys_str_mv AT adriancherney evaluatingprogramstocounterviolentextremismtheexampleofcasemanagedinterventions