Crackdown on Terrorists Behind Bars: Tough New Rules to Stop Radicalisation
Ban on Terrorists Running Religious Services
Convicted terrorists will no longer be allowed to take leading roles in religious services behind bars. The government is banning them from leading prayers or delivering sermons to stop them from gaining influence over other inmates and spreading extremist views.
This ban now applies to all faiths and all prisons—not just high-security ones—strengthening protections for staff and prisoners nationwide.
Strict Limits on Prisoners’ Books to Block Extremist Materials
New rules will limit prisoners’ books and property to just two medium-sized boxes weighing no more than 15kg. This clampdown aims to stop extremists from stockpiling hundreds of texts to hide and circulate extremist literature.
In one shocking case, a prisoner had over 200 books in their cell, making it nearly impossible for officers to identify radical material during searches.
New Close Supervision Centre for Violent Terrorists
Construction starts this week on a Close Supervision Centre at HMP Frankland, a special wing to house the most violent inmates—especially terrorists. This move will help isolate dangerous radicals and halt extremist activity inside prisons.
Government Boosts Terror Taskforce After Landmark Review
These latest steps follow a major review by Jonathan Hall KC and build on a year of tough action to tackle terrorist threats behind bars.
- Automatic police referrals for terrorists committing crimes in prison, ensuring longer jail terms.
- £1.2 million investment for a specialist Separation Centre and high-risk casework team to block extremist influence.
- Easier and earlier placement of subversive prisoners into Separation Centres.
- Scrapping automatic early release for terrorists, introducing a 14-year minimum sentence for the worst offenders.
- Mandatory polygraph testing and enhanced police search powers.
- £6 million expansion of Close Supervision Centres nationwide.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said:
“Faith can play a vital part in prisoners’ rehabilitation but we must never tolerate terrorists who seek to exploit religious services to advance their own sinister agenda.”
“These changes, alongside tougher sentences for terrorists who commit crimes behind bars and our work to separate more of the most radical terrorists, will better protect our hardworking staff, other prisoners and the public.”
Currently, around 200 convicted terrorists serve time in UK jails, many using distorted religious teachings to justify their crimes. These bold new measures aim to shut down their influence and keep Britain safer.
