New stricter supermax-style units are being planned for the most violent inmates following an incident involving Hashem Abedi, the Manchester Arena plotter, who allegedly attacked officers with hot cooking oil and makeshift weapons. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, also the Justice Secretary, briefed Members of Parliament on the outcome of a review into the attack. He commended the injured officers and described the CCTV footage of the incident as “truly shocking.”
Abedi, known for assisting his brother in the 2017 terrorist attack that claimed 22 lives, is accused of assaulting officers at HMP Frankland in County Durham in April by throwing hot oil and stabbing them. Jonathan Hall KC, the independent terrorism legislation reviewer, was tasked with investigating the incident and the potential for similar occurrences.
During his address to the Commons, Mr. Lammy shared that Mr. Hall had recognized a pressing need to revamp the operations of separation centers where Islamic terrorists are housed. He stated, “That is why we will consider various options to revamp the system, including the potential establishment of new, more stringent supermax-style units for the most violent and disruptive inmates.”
Mr. Lammy disclosed that the government will promptly devise a new tiered system based on comprehensive risk assessments of criminals. He also highlighted Mr. Hall’s findings that the most dangerous offenders actively seek vulnerabilities to exploit within separation centers, and that the inherent risk posed by certain terrorist prisoners cannot be completely eradicated.
Furthermore, Mr. Lammy pointed out that compliance with the European Convention of Human Rights, particularly Article 8, presents challenges in managing terrorist and other dangerous offenders. He mentioned the potential introduction of new legislation to safeguard decisions made by experienced personnel in separation centers. The Justice Secretary affirmed that his department will continuously invest in tools and training to aid staff in handling terrorist risks in exceptionally hazardous environments.
In a separate incident, Axel Rudakubana, a Southport killer, was investigated by authorities for allegedly assaulting an officer by throwing boiling water a month after Abedi’s attack. Abedi, serving a minimum 55-year term for his role in the 2017 attack, was apprehended in Libya and extradited to the UK in 2019. He faced charges related to assisting his brother in planning the attack during a concert by Ariana Grande at the Old Bailey in 2020, where he opted not to mount a defense. The case is scheduled for trial in January 2027.