Abstract

Mozambique is facing terrorism. As a result, individuals accused of terrorism are imprisoned in the penitentiaries, for rehabilitation and eventual reintegration into society. Although the Government is implementing the Rehabilitation and Social Reinsertion Program to re-educate terrorist inmates, research on in-prison education and re-education of terrorist inmates is limited. This study aims to examine the role of in-prison re-education in Mozambique as a strategy to prevent radicalization within penitentiaries and terrorist inmates’ engagement in crimes after release, focusing on peace education. Applying a qualitative approach, interviews, questionnaires, observations, document and media reports were used to get the data. The 95 informants included 70 terrorist inmates housed at the Cabo Delgado Provincial Penitentiary, and 25 Government stakeholders. From the government, are teachers working in the penitentiaries, prison officers, policymakers from National Penitentiary Services and the Ministry of Education. The study identified terrorist inmates’ specific experiences that significantly impact their academic engagement; gap on law on terrorism and on in-prison education; fragile coordination among the institutions involved in prison education; deficiencies in the current formal education curriculum; and the unpreparedness of teachers within the penitentiaries. Inmates' limited access to formal education, and many challenges during the teaching and learning process. Based on our analysis, we concluded that: Mozambique’s penitentiary system lacks a robust framework for peace education. If measures are not taken, Mozambique’s penitentiaries risk becoming breeding grounds for criminal networks and terrorist organizations. In the case of Cado Delgado Provincial Penitentiary, the program imparts knowledge and skills, without a peace education foundation, enabling inmates to become more strategic and resourceful in their criminal pursuits. Upon their release, they can leverage these capabilities to organize and lead criminal activities, perpetuating cycles of violence. These study should inform policies on counter-terrorism and education in prison.

Keywords: Terrorism, in-prison education, Mozambique