Religious assessment and reintegration responses: the use of religious supports within prison-based services in Australia

Religious/Ideological motivation often features prominently in both expressed motivation for and disengagement/de-radicalisation from violent extremism. This paper aims to identify indicators of religion in framing some of the offenders’ motivations as engaged through the prison-based services in Australian jurisdiction. It is suggested that, rather than being a primary motivator for extremist behaviours, religion/ideology is a frame through which intrinsic motivations are expressed. This paper highlights how the Theological Assessment undertaken by prison-based services in Australia can play a role in utilising the religious/ideological frame of the offender to understand their intrinsic motivations, assess their risks, and create specific reintegration responses as part of its tailored multi-disciplinary, case management approach.