Richard Ford, Home Correspondent
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Muslim prisoners, including convicted terrorists, are escaping violent attacks by other inmates in a top-security jail by seeking sanctuary in the segregation unit, according to a watchdog report published today.
The disclosure comes after a number of serious incidents at Frankland jail, Co Durham, including an attack on a convicted terrorist and the torching of the cell of a Muslim jailed for murdering a police officer.
Anne Owers, the Chief Inspector of Prisons, also disclosed that under expansion plans Frankland is to become the first top-security prison in England and Wales to hold more than 1,000 offenders.
Ms Owers said that the jail held extremely challenging prisoners, including those with links to gangs, a history of extreme violence and convictions for terrorist crimes.
Her inspection report said: “The small proportion of black and minority ethnic prisoners felt especially unsafe, and Muslim prisoners in particular were seeking sanctuary in the segregation unit; some, but not all, because of the nature of their offence.
“There had been serious incidents of prisoner-on-prisoner violence.”
Muslims have been banned from holding communal prayers in cells, on landings and exercise yards amid fears that they were being used to radicalise inmates. Two Muslim prisoners had also been banned from attending Friday prayers because of “security concerns”, Ms Owers’s inspection report said.
“A number of Muslim prisoners were held in segregation and the security department monitored those known to hold ‘radical Islamic’ views. Muslim prisoners were disaffected about being prevented from praying together communally,” the report said.
In July last year boiling cooking fat was poured over Dhiren Barot, an al-Qaeda plotter who was jailed for life in 2006 for planning to kill thousands of people in Britain and the US. He has since been moved from the jail. Last month fire broke out in the cell of Kamel Bourgas, serving life for the murder of Detective Constable Stephen Oake in Manchester in 2003.
The report said that an extremist-monitoring unit had recently been set up at the prison, which holds 713 inmates, including 452 serving life. There are 57 Muslim prisoners in the jail. Fourteen per cent of its inmates are from black and minority ethnic communities but the staff are overwhelmingly white. Ms Owers said that there was little understanding of Muslim issues, and many Muslim inmates believed that they were victimised because of their religious beliefs.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “It is inaccurate to suggest that Muslim prisoners are asking to be segregated for their own protection. Based on any intelligence or incidents that may have occurred, management may decide to segregate a prisoner.”
The spokesman said it had been agreed that communal prayers for all religions, involving up to three people, could take place in a prisoner’s cell.
Phil Wheatley, the director-general of the National Offender Management Service, said: “I am concerned about the comments raised on the safety within Frankland. However, this should be seen in the context of Frankland’s extremely challenging population. The issues raised in the report are currently being addressed.”

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it is a well established rule and procedure that any prisoner can go rule forty whatever it isfor his own protection - paedophiles do it all the time else sending them to prison would be condemning them to death
peter c, devizes, wessex
What actually is disgusting is that in the 21st Century the Government and the Authorities seem to at best be incompetent and at worst seem to "egg on" such attacks on prisoners. Yes they should be jailed if guilty but every step should be taken to stop such animalistic attacks on them.
mike, london, uk
Clearly there should never be any special "reward" for people who have been convicted of heinous crimes. However, we as a society should not sanction mob justice where other prisoners take the law into their own hands? As a society, we must maintain our moral and ethical standards.
Rishi Verma, Windsor, UK
My son is in Frankland, and he tells me about the constant whining of Muslims. They want all their own way. Special food, special treatment, and constantly complaining. There is a "saying" amongst inmates in prison: if you can't do the time, don't commit the crime.
Brian Uttley, Leeds, Yorkshire
Ensure you have all the facts of the story before you make a judgement in a forum.. read what the telegraph says about the same prison. a differnet picture all together.. we need to biased in all this..
Yurov, London, UK
The Chief Inspector of Prisons' report conflicts with the statement by the prison spokesman, yet this is an example
of how, in Britain, through the freedom of the press, the public is informed of such disputes,there is no cover up and steps can be taken to investigate/remedy any hint of HR abuse.
Joan Moira Peters, Whangarei UK Citizen , temp o/seas in New Zealand
If you plot to blow up innocent people then don't expect to be anything but hated in prison.you reap what you sow.
Kevin, London, England
This is very pleasing to know that these cowards are reeping what they sow.They chose this path so why complain ! if they dont like prison then dont terrorise the nation which you chose to reside in.
w.birch, billericay, uk
For Gods Sake Deport These People,We Do Not Want To
Waste Money Keeping Them In Our Jails With Pampering Rights Not Given To Others What Do These People Expect?
Thomas, Surbiton, uk
If this lot were deported, as any sane country would do as soon as possible, then the situation would not exist. There should be zero tolerance against islam and its violent followers. It they want to commit crimes, then let them do it in an Islamic country; not here.
john in cheshire, manchester, england
I note the continuious references to THESE people "bombing innocent members of society", when the article makes no mention of this.
Shows how much we have been brainwashed at the mere mention of the word 'muslim.'
Reminders of 1930s Germany???
Adam, Birmingham, U.K,
I wonder how Saudi/Pakistani jails would treat a 'non-believer' who tried or successfully killed innocent Muslims in the name of their religion. It is not necessary to hold communal prayers. A relationship is between the individual and his God - there doesn't have to be company in order to worship.
Donna Walker, Effingham, England
Being a muslim should not earn you any more rights than the non muslim prisoners. They have acted against society and should be punished - that is why they are in prison. But this is Britain all over - give the minorities a bigger say than the indigenous population. The minorities rule us....
Chris, S'bury,
Is prison a deterrent or Islamic comfort zone? These people act with hubris and contempt for the country they chose to live in but not so brave now? And if they can claim segregation why can't we by banning or severely curtailing immigration from Pakistan? It will happen sooner or later.
logdon, stockport,
How interesting that those that would bring violence and death to the peaceful majority within the UK in order to further cause feel that they are being victimised as a result . I suppose now human rights legislation will be used to secure them a seperate exsistance.
Rick, Newcastle, Tyne and wera
I thought these warriors of Islam would not shirk from facing an aggressor, or are they only fearless when they are bomb innocent members of the public
Martin, Reading, Berkshire
Its disgusting that these criminals are even allowed segregation units. If I, a decent citizen, said that didn't want to be around blacks, i'd be sued and dragged through court.
Lorenzo, Salisbury, UK