Supermax restrictions for extremists in prison

The Deputy PM has announced an overhaul of separation centres in an attempt to better tackle the unique threat that terror offenders pose.

These changes includes explore supermax-style controls for the most violent and extreme prisoners, improving how intelligence is collected and used, and reforms to better protect against litigation and limit payouts to terrorists.   

The announcement follows the publication of Jonathan Hall KC’s independent review of separation centres, launched in the wake of the HMP Frankland attack last year. The government has now published its response to the review, accepting the recommendations in full.

New measures include a commitment to create a new tiered separation centre system, with the most dangerous extremists facing stricter conditions; an expert-led review of training for staff working in these units, to ensure it is tailored to the uniquely dangerous environments in which they work; strengthening internal processes and considering whether new legislation is required to better protect decisions taken by experienced staff in separation centres from litigation on Article 8 grounds; and further improving intelligence collection practices to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure intelligence directly informs operational decisions.   

Separation centres were created in 2017 to isolate the most influential extremist offenders from the rest of the prison population.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said: "The horrific attack at HMP Frankland was a stark reminder of the dangers our prison staff face every day…Mr Hall’s review makes serious and wide-reaching recommendations, and our response will be decisive and determined.   

"Taken together, they will strengthen security, better protect our brave prison staff and reinforce the resilience of our counter-terrorism infrastructure within the estate.   

"This Government will always stand behind those who stand between the public and danger. We will not shy away from reform and we will never lose sight of our first duty: to keep the British public safe."