£10M TO SAVE BOMB PLOTTER FROM JAIL GANGS
Victims’ fury at Manchester Arena killer’s security bill
FAMILIES of victims of the Manchester Arena atrocity reacted angrily last night after learning it will cost taxpayers up to £10million to keep the bomber’s brother safe in jail.
Hashem Abedi, 23, is under the highest level of protective custody after a series of blood-curdling threats from inmates.
One chilling warning on a Facebook group used by prisoners said Abedi “won’t last two mins”.
Abedi was jailed for 55 years at the Old Bailey this week for helping his suicide-bomber brother Salman slaughter 22 innocents at a concert.
Hundreds more were injured in the blast at a gig by US pop singer Ariana Grande three years ago.
The cost of a category A prisoner can be up to £87,000 a year, according to government figures.
That alone would total almost £5million for the duration of Abedi’s minimum term.
But costs skyrocket if the prisoner is regarded as being at risk from other inmates and requires extra security.
Steve Howe, whose wife Alison, 45, was killed by the bomb, said: “It’s unbelievable. I think most British taxpayers would not want to pay for this. It’s a ridiculous amount.”
The figure is in stark contrast to the victims’ compensation payouts from the Government.
Families of the 22 dead were entitled to £28,269 each from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
Bitter
A further £1.12million was paid to around 1,000 people injured – just over £1,000 each.
Alison, of Royton, Gtr Manchester, died while waiting in the arena foyer to collect her two teenage daughters, who both survived.
Steve, 64, added: “My daughters have been without their mum for three years. We are never going to get over the loss of Alison.
“The police are going on like we should be over the moon about the verdict. I feel bitter about it.
“It won’t bring Alison back.” About the Government, he said: “We’ve had no help whatsoever since the day it happened.”
The Sunday People has alerted justice chiefs to death threats which have already appeared on one Facebook page used by prisoners and former inmates.
One serving prisoner said: “Slide the razors under the door fellas,” while another added: “Won’t last two mins.”
Other threats eats included “Big man blowing people ople up but now he’s in reality and nd I hope dies a slow death” “You are going to die in jail l you worthless piece of s***” *” and “Tie him up and stripe pe him until he bleeds”.
As an at-risk risk prisoner in a top-security ty jail, Abedi will be given his own cell and will be supported ed by a team of prison officers ers responsible for his physical and mental welfare.
Despite the appalling nature of his crime, he will be encouraged to mix with other inmates – but only those likely to be classified as vulnerable prisoners as well.
A Ministry of Justice document seen by the Sunday People i indicates that Abedi will be riskassessed as soon as he arrives in jail and could be monitored by CCTV if h he is thought to be a suicide risk.
All of Abedi’s activities including his meals, washing and visits will be scrutinised by a team of up to four prison officers, which will add to the daily cost of his imprisonment.
Like all inmates he will be allowed to wear some of his own clothes, such as jeans and trainers. He will be given a job and offered the chance to undertake educational courses.
Welfare
Abedi will also be able to attend a Muslim payer service which will be run by a prison imam.
He will be able to have money sent to a special account so he can but toiletries, drinks, crisps and sweets.
After a certain period he will be issued with a TV and will be able to order certain goods and clothing online from Amazon.
One prison source said: “He will not be punished in prison for his crimes. His punishment is prison.
“He will be treated professionally by prison staff and they could be disciplined for any welfare failures.
“If Abedi behaves himself he could have a relatively comfortable life but he will be aware that he remains at risk from attack.
“It is possible that Abedi could be housed in a sex offender wing or other area used exclusively to house the vulnerable and at-risk prisoners.”
Yesterday the MOJ said it does not comment on individual prisoners.