A small but growing number of jail inmates are showing signs of radicalisation and without intervention they would continue posing a risk to the Australian community, Justice Minister Michael Keenan says.
Mr Keenan said prisons were a priority area for the Australian Government in rolling out deradicalisation programs designed to counter violent extremism.
Addressing a deradicalisation conference in Malaysia, he said without intervention and rehabilitation, many offenders would remain unrepentant after release, with some now caught up in jihadi violence in Iraq and Syria.
The minister said this was a major concern for the foreseeable future and various programs had now been implemented.
"It is this focus on post-release intervention which the Australian government believes will be critical in the fight against home-grown terrorism," he said.
More than 1,800 prison staff had been trained to recognise and report indicators of radicalisation, with more being trained.
As well, programs have been introduced to help prisoners disengage from violent extremism.
"On release, we prepare these individuals to reintegrate into the community by providing psychological, employment and education support. We also offer social and religious support by offering individual mentoring with trained Imams," he said.
Mr Keenan said there was a prison lecture series open to all Muslim prisoners to promote credible, mainstream religious principles and to ensure that radical ideas do not take root among the prison population.
These lectures focus on core Islamic teachings and practices, including condemning terrorism and violence.
Mr Keenan said the threat of radicalisation was pervasive and responses must be comprehensive and innovative.
"Responsibility for countering radicalisation must be a collective one, whether it is recognising those at risk and intervening early or empowering people who challenge terrorism," he said.
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