Islamist Extremist Inspired Radicalization in France: Analyzing Recruitment Methods in Mosques, Prisons, and Online

France has Europe’s largest Muslim population, as well as the highest number of foreign fighters waging jihad in Syria and Iraq. The study investigated Islamist extremist inspired radicalization recruitment methods in France’s mosques and prisons, as well as online, to determine each strategy’s relative efficacy. Data was obtained from the Western Jihadism Project database, which houses an archive of jihadist publications and related materials, both online and in print. Within the database the French dataset contains 695 individuals of French descent or who became naturalized prior to the age of sixteen. An analysis of the available data indicates that each radicalization sector poses a specific, distinct threat. Radicalization in French mosques shows no sign of decline despite the rise of the Internet as an alternative radicalization method. Prison radicalization produces France’s most violent extremists, and points to a connection between a predisposition to criminality and likelihood of becoming involved in extremist violent action. Internet radicalization does not appear to serve as a primary cause of radicalization, but rather acts as a gateway for those who are already interested in Islamist extremism. The conclusion points the importance of government follow-through in its fight against terror, especially in regard to its policies of stemming prison radicalization.