Self-compassion as a factor in the deradicalisation of extremist offenders

Abstract

The present study investigates the role of self-compassion in generating change amongst violent extremists through a study of terrorist prisoners in Indonesia. The aim is to provide insights into the under-explored role of self-transformation and agency in the deradicalisation process by applying Neff’s concept of self-compassion, which comprises psychological processes of self-kindness, perceptions of common humanity, and mindfulness. The study draws on qualitative data derived from interviews with three terrorist inmates incarcerated in Porong Prison, Indonesia. All three participants were at the time of the interview participating in a deradicalisation program implemented in the prison. Interview data indicate that the components of self-compassion play a role in self-change reported by terrorist inmates. This included the expression of remorse, seeking God's forgiveness, the acceptance of consequences and human frailty, and the ability to not linger or fixate on negative thoughts and past decisions and actions. The results of this study indicate that self-compassion is a potentially important element in the deradicalisation process, and that the development of self-compassion is an additional method by which interventions can assist the process of desistance from violent extremism.