A three-day training session was held on 18 to 20 June in Međugorje for local multidisciplinary teams from Brčko, Hadžići, and Velika Kladuša working with returnees from foreign conflict zones. The training was also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the BiH Ministry for Human Rights and Refugees, and BiH and entity justice ministries and prisons.

The purpose of the training session was to strengthen the application of standardized operating procedures for providing practical post-penal support to violent extremist offenders. This support is essential, especially in the first few months after release, to ease former offenders’ return to law-abiding life. This is also an important step in preventing recidivism.

Some of the key topics were the importance of inter-agency cooperation and the role of prisons in preparing for the release of violent extremist offenders. The analysis of case studies and group exchange helped improve the participants’ knowledge and skills in conducting risk assessments and developing individual plans for post-penal support. They also talked about responsibilities of local institutions in the post-release phase, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of post-release support.

The Council of Europe will continue to support authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening the post-penal support for violent extremist offenders and advancing inter-institutional cooperation towards a safe and secure society.

The training session was held as part of the Council of Europe’s project “Providing for effective reintegration of violent extremist offenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PER-VEO) - Phase I”, funded under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.