Inquiry launched into extremism in prisons

Jonathan Hall QC has launched an inquiry into the way prisons deal with convicted terrorists, amid increasing concerns of growing radicalisation behind bars.

The government's independent reviewer of terrorism legislation pointed to a ‘steady drumbeat’ of terror attacks on prison officers while other inmates were coming under the influence of ‘high status’ terrorist prisoners. He also said that if terrorist activity was taking place in jails then it had to be dealt with.

Speaking to The Times, Hall said: "There has been a steady drumbeat over recent years of terrorist attacks against prison officers, and an increasing number of individuals who may well have formed their terrorist intent in prison under the influence of high status terrorist prisoners. If terrorism exists (in prison) then it ought to be dealt with. We need scrutiny of how prisons operate to either contain, or worse encourage, terrorism."

The Ministry of Justice told The Times that it had trained more than 29,000 prison officers to better spot signs of extremism, increased the number of specialist counter-terrorism staff, and would separate the most subversive prisoners where necessary.