Post-Prison Reintegration and Deradicalization: Criminological Insights from International and Bulgarian Perspectives

The reintegration of individuals convicted of violent or extremism-related offenses represents one of the most complex challenges at the intersection of criminology, social policy, and security governance. This paper examines post-prison reintegration and deradicalization through a comparative criminological lens, drawing on both international best practices and the Bulgarian context. Using theoretical frameworks from social disorganization, labeling, and desistance theories, the study argues that successful reintegration requires a shift from punitive and surveillance-oriented models toward socially grounded and preventive approaches. Comparative analysis of the Aarhus Model (Denmark), EXIT-Germany, and the Dutch Comprehensive Approach reveals that cross-disciplinary, individualized support, and community engagement are the strongest predictors of long-term success. Conversely, overly securitized and ideologically driven interventions tend to reinforce stigmatization and social exclusion. The Bulgarian case, though lacking systemic prison radicalization, exhibits structural vulnerabilities: limited inter-agency coordination, insufficiently trained social workers, and weak post-release support mechanisms. The paper concludes that integrating social work into correctional and post-correctional practice can bridge the gap between security and social inclusion. It recommends the establishment of multi-agency case management teams, professional training in deradicalization, and community-based reintegration networks. Ultimately, the study positions social work as both a criminological and preventive resource – an instrument of social resilience that transforms reintegration from a technical task into a shared societal responsibility.