Tougher curbs on terrorists’ crimes in prison
Specialist police to handle ‘minor’ offences behind bars in move that could lead to longer sentences
JAILED terrorists are to be investigated by specialist police officers for “minor crimes” behind bars in a move that could extend their prison sentences.
Dominic Raab, the Justice Secretary, is to introduce measures that will require any offences within prison, however minor, to be automatically referred to counter-terrorism police for investigation.
At present, prisoners who commit offences such as vandalising cells or dealing in drugs and other contraband are mostly dealt with by governors, who can impose a maximum of 42 days on top of an offender’s existing sentence.
They will now be automatically referred within a week for a police investigation and potential prosecution.
This will increase the likelihood of them being locked up for significantly longer and ministers believe it will be a strong deterrent against offending.
Mr Raab said: “Terrorist offenders pose a grave risk to public safety and they must face the full consequences of their actions – whether on the street or behind bars. This important change means any transgression will come with the prospect of significantly more prison time and keep our communities safer, for longer, from those unwilling to change their ways.”
The change has been sanctioned in a deal between HM Prison and Probation Service, Counter Terrorism Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service.
It was one of the recommendations by Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, in a report which found Muslim terrorists had been able to seize control of wings and set up sharia courts behind bars. His inquiry was launched after a spate of terrorist attacks carried out by those radicalised in prison.
Matt Jukes, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “Our core mission is keeping the public and communities safe from the enduring and evolving terrorist threat. This agreement demonstrates that our efforts to mitigate that threat, and protect our national security, are far-reaching and rely on collaboration with our partners.”
Gregor McGill, director of legal services at the CPS, said: “Those who commit crimes while serving their sentences risk further charges and longer sentences.”
Reforms recommended by Mr Hall will also mean an expansion of separation centres – so-called jails within jails – where dangerous hate preachers can be held to isolate them and stop the spread of terrorist ideology.
There are three such centres at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, HMP Full Sutton in east Yorkshire and HMP Frankland in County Durham, although one has been temporarily closed due to staff shortages.
Among those being held in the separation centres is Hashem Abedi, the brother of the Manchester Arena suicide bomber.
As part of the new measures, there will be a new team costing £1.2million tasked with quickly identifying and targeting the most influential terrorists. A further £6million is being used to expand close supervision centres, which hold about 60 of the most dangerous men in the prison system.
Two years ago, ministers also ended the automatic early release of terrorist offenders half way through their prison sentences.
It came after two terrorists freed early were involved in terror attacks at London Bridge and in Streatham in south-west London.
There are at least 220 terrorist prisoners in jail, with more than 70 released from jail whose licence conditions were reviewed and potentially toughened or expanded in light of the two terror attacks.