‘Supermax-style units’ for most dangerous criminals to be introduced in England and Wales | Prisons and probation
The most dangerous extremist prisoners in England and Wales will be held in “supermax-style units” similar to those used in US prisons, David Lammy has told MPs.
The deputy prime minister also said he would consider drafting legislation that would prevent prisoners from using human rights laws to challenge harsher conditions in prison.
Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, was appointed to conduct a review of the separation units in May. Its report was published on Tuesday.
Lammy said he would accept all 13 of Hall’s recommendations.
These include:
Creation of a new system of gradual separation centers where the most dangerous extremists will face stricter conditions. As reported in the Guardian last month, Hall advised that privileges could be earned or taken depending on closely monitored standards of conduct.
Evaluate whether new legislation is necessary to protect decisions made by experienced staff in separation centers from human rights legislation. Prisoners can use Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to object to conditions in separation centres, Hall wrote. “In my view, the government should take steps to limit the application of Article 8,” he said.
Review of staff training under expert leadership.
Further improving intelligence gathering practices to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.
Lammy said separation centers, which are special units in prisons to house Islamist extremists, will be transformed with a new tiered system.
The prisons currently based are HMP Full Sutton near York, HMP Frankland in County Durham and HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes.
Lammy said: “Mr Hall identifies a clear need to transform the way separation centers are managed and operated. That is why, at the next spending review, we will explore all available options to overhaul the system, including the creation of new, tougher, supermax-style units for the most violent, disruptive prisoners.
“This will be a tiered system, with movement between tiers allowed following strict new risk assessments.
“We will start designing this system immediately.”
Lammy said it would consider whether legislation was necessary to “protect decisions made by experienced staff in separation centres” after the high court ruled that a convicted terrorist’s human rights were violated when he was kept away from other prisoners.
“We will also consider whether new legislation is required to protect decisions made by experienced staff in separation centers from mitigation on the basis of Article 8, and will explicitly consider that we will continue to comply with our obligations under the ECHR while exploring all options to achieve this,” he said.
Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy said the UK should leave the ECHR to prevent prisoners using it to “escape separation centres”.
