Extremists to be placed in specialist centres

Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah has announced news plans to separate dangerous extremists from the mainstream prison population through the introduction of specialist centres.

Three separation centres are being created and will form part of the wider government strategy to tackle extremism in prisons, holding up to 28 of the most subversive offenders, preventing their influence over others.

Prisoners can be placed in a separation centre if they are involved in planning terrorism or are considered to pose a risk to national security, with the first centre, at HMP Frankland, set to open within the next few weeks.

Once in a centre, prisoners will be reviewed by experts every three months and will only be returned to the mainstream prison population if it is considered that the risk they present has reduced to a level that can be effectively managed there.

Also included in the wider strategy to tackle extremism are plans to form a new directorate for Security, Order and Counter-Terrorism - responsible for monitoring and dealing with the evolving threat of extremism, as well as the banning of extremist literature and removal of anyone from communal worship who is promoting dangerous views.

Gyimah said: “Any form of extremism must be defeated wherever it is found, and it is right that we separate those who pose the greatest risk in order to limit their influence over other prisoners. These centres are a crucial part of our wider strategy to help tackle extremism in prisons and ensure the safety and security of both our prisons and the wider public.”