Key Facts

• Mark Fairhurst is the national chair of the Prison Officers Association.
• TACT offenders are allocated key worker officers who monitor their behavior and submit intelligence reports regularly.
• MAPPA arrangements include reports from various agencies like prison officers, psychologists, psychiatrists, healthcare providers, and security services.
• Mental health issues are prevalent among prison staff.
• The current system involves a three-stage referral process for separating dangerous individuals from the main population.
• Training on offer is limited for non-separation centre staff.
• There is a need for more staff and mental health support services in prisons.
• The Parole Board is currently involved but could have a greater role as an independent scrutiny body.
• Only about 5% to 10% of terrorist offenders reoffend compared with 50% to 60% of the general population.
• Scotland's order for lifelong restriction allows for release at any stage and recall on cause shown.
• Polygraph tests are currently not used by prison staff, but Fairhurst is open to training them in this skill.
• There is a concern about transferring violent prisoners from the only operational separation centre at Frankland due to lack of available space.
• Laurence Robertson is chairing a Public Bill Committee session.
• The session involves expert testimony from Professor Ian Acheson, a former frontline prison officer.
• Professor Acheson works for the Counter Extremism Project and is a visiting professor at Staffordshire University.
• The discussion revolves around managing terrorist offenders in prisons.
• Laurence Robertson requests for concise answers from Professor Acheson.
• Only one out of three separation units is currently running.
• The Parole Board is well-suited for managing ordinary offenders but may not be best for ideologically motivated offenders.
• Professor Acheson worked for the Youth Justice Board and supports considering disposals like detention and training orders before penalising young people.
• Professor Acheson is not a fan of polygraph tests as they are considered an imprecise method.
• Suggests using wearable technology to provide biodata and geographical data on released terrorist offenders.
• Staffordshire University plans research on disguised compliance led by Professor Acheson and Professor James Treadwell.
• Laurence Robertson chairs a Committee meeting.
• Professor Andrew Silke introduces himself as the professor of terrorism, risk and resilience at Cranfield University.
• The session aims to discuss managing and deradicalising prisoners within prisons.
• The extremism risk guidance (ERG) is a bespoke risk assessment tool used in England and Wales.
• Post-release reoffending rates for terrorist prisoners are extremely low in the UK.
• The potential for early release serves as an important incentive for prisoner rehabilitation.
• Professor Silke provided evidence on TPIM and other counter-terrorism measures.
• The discussion included concerns about polygraph testing, reoffending rates among terrorist prisoners, and future terrorism threats from both far-right and Islamist groups.