With the support from the ministries of justice on all levels in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Council of Europe has delivered a training of trainers on the management of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) for prison staff from all prisons in the country on 14-17 May, in Sarajevo.   

The aim of the training, facilitated by local trainers coming from penitentiary systems of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was to equip the designated prison staff with practical skills and knowledge needed to train their peers on the mentioned topic.

Through practical exercises and case studies 18 participants strengthened their skills and enhanced knowledge on violent extremism and radicalisation, the relevant international standards and legal framework, the Case Management System, communication with VEPs, cooperation between prison units and interagency cooperation. All the topics are part of the plan and programme for basic training developed in cooperation with the beneficiaries and will serve as a basis when prison staff will deliver training to their peers.

All participants demonstrated a high commitment and motivation to start delivering training to their peers. The Council of Europe will continue to provide support to the systems for execution of criminal sanctions in Bosnia and Herzegovina with regard to capacity-building and staff training on identifying and countering radicalisation in prisons.

This activity was organised within the framework of the project "Ensuring Sustainable Penitentiary Actions in managing rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ESPA-VEP)", funded under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.