New taskforce to tackle 'poisonous' extremism in prisons

A new taskforce of counter-terrorism experts is being launched on Monday to tackle the threat of radicalisation in prisons.

The 100-strong team will examine intelligence from across England and Wales as part of government plans to tackle "poisonous" extremism behind bars.

Jails will be advised on how to deal with specific threats, and the unit will help train prison workers on effective ways to deter offenders from being lured into extremism.

It is hoped the specialist team will also help prisons manage dangerous and high-profile extremist prisoners.

Figures suggest that more than 1,000 prisoners are identified as extremist or vulnerable to extremism at any one time - and the taskforce is going to target all forms of extremism, including far-right ideologies.

Prisons minister Sam Gyimah said: "This new team will lead this strand of important work to help combat and defeat terrorist threats posed by offenders in the prison estate and in the community.

"By countering the poisonous and repugnant activities of extremists, we will help ensure the safe running of our prisons and keep the public safe."

The new unit follows a Government-ordered review last year which concluded that Islamist extremism is a growing problem within jails.

That assessment uncovered evidence of offenders expressing support for Islamic State, and "charismatic" prisoners acting as "self-styled emirs" to radicalise fellow inmates.

Following the inquiry, the Government announced plans to separate dangerous extremists from the rest of the prison population.

The Ministry of Justice says the new taskforce follows other measures designed to address extremism - including orders for prison governors to ban extremist literature and remove anyone from communal worship who promotes anti-British beliefs or other dangerous views.

Hanif Qadir, a former Taliban fighter who runs a foundation which works to prevent radicalisation, told Sky News he welcomes the proposals as radicalisation has reached "unprecedented levels" in the nation's jails.

He said: "It's since the inception of Islamic State and the calling to jihad by IS. Over the last three to four years, the growth of violent extremism within prisons has been on an unimaginable scale.

"At the moment, the problem in our prisons is very, very concerning and we need to deal with it rapidly."