Help extremists find better causes: guide

Australian prison workers should encourage convicted terrorists to identify with new groups and causes, according to a new guide aimed at improving their chances of rehabilitation.

The federal government worked with the Global Centre on Cooperative Security to produce the guide, published on Thursday.

That came after Australia made a commitment at a 2017 meeting with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand.

Immigration Minister David Coleman said the advice would help corrections authorities make informed decisions.

"We know that the prison environment can be a potential breeding ground for radicalisation and violent extremism, especially as we face growing numbers of extremist offenders across the prison network," he said.

"That is why this guide is so important. Being able to spot extremist behaviours early is critical in being able to manage and rehabilitate high-risk and terrorist offenders within prisons."

Advice in the guide includes prison staff treating offenders "humanely" and using their relationships with extremists to challenge "divisive perceptions" of different groups.

Staff should also respond positively when offenders display signs of doubt in their involvement with extremists and expose them to other ways of life.

"Correctional services should recognise the importance of facilitating offender disengagement from violent extremist groups, causes, and ideologies to expedite desistance," the guide states.

Authorities should also be aware of the influence of a prisoner's peers and social and political events such as terror attacks, it recommends.