In a significant development, terrorist Hashem Abedi has been moved to Belmarsh, a high-security prison in south London, after reportedly attacking three prison guards at HMP Frankland in Durham.
The 28-year-old was placed in segregation after the brutal assault, which involved Abedi throwing hot cooking oil at the guards and using makeshift blades fashioned from a cooking tray.
His transfer follows his violent outburst in prison and his involvement in one of the most devastating attacks in the UK’s recent history.
Abedi’s Violent Attack on Prison Officers
Abedi, who played a key role in planning the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing alongside his brother, suicide bomber Salman Abedi, is now facing further scrutiny.
Last week, in what seems to have been a premeditated act, Abedi attacked three officers with boiling oil and knives made from prison materials.
The male officers were severely injured in the assault, with one officer suffering a potentially life-threatening stab wound to the neck, just millimetres from severing an artery.
Another officer was stabbed multiple times, leaving him with punctured lungs, while a female officer also sustained injuries.
Segregation Unit and Its Controversies
Abedi’s move to Belmarsh follows his attack and reflects the growing concerns over the safety of prison staff when handling inmates like him.
The segregation unit, where Abedi is currently housed, is intended for the most dangerous individuals.
It’s a place where inmates are not supposed to interact with one another.
However, Abedi’s access to a prison kitchen, where he could prepare his own food, raised alarms.
The privileges he received allowed him to fashion weapons from ordinary items like cooking trays, resulting in a violent outburst.
The Ministry of Justice has yet to comment on the specifics of Abedi’s case, but the public outcry has already begun.
Conservative justice spokesman Robert Jenrick has criticized the system, stating that prison officials seem more focused on the “welfare of wicked individuals” rather than the safety of the staff who work with them.
This attack, he argues, should be a turning point for how terrorist inmates are treated in high-security jails across the UK.
A History of Violence and Radicalisation
Abedi’s history of violence within the prison system is not new.
Prior to the attack at HMP Frankland, he was involved in a violent incident at Belmarsh Prison, where he and other inmates assaulted two prison guards.
These violent outbursts highlight the challenges the UK faces in managing high-risk prisoners, especially those involved in terrorism.
Abedi was sentenced to a 55-year minimum term for his role in the Manchester bombing, which claimed 22 lives.
Despite his violent tendencies, he had been granted privileges, including the ability to cook for himself, which has now come under intense scrutiny.
Prison Officer Union Calls for Immediate Action
Mark Fairhurst, chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association (POA), has demanded a ban on allowing terrorist inmates to access prison kitchens, citing the risks they pose.
He argued that the ability for such inmates to use kitchens increases the potential for harm, as evidenced by Abedi’s recent attack.
The POA has long raised concerns about the safety of prison staff, particularly in facilities like HMP Frankland, where dangerous extremists are held.
The Continuing Threat in UK Prisons
Abedi’s transfer to Belmarsh highlights the ongoing threat posed by radicalised inmates in UK prisons.
Facilities like HMP Frankland, which house some of the UK’s most notorious terrorists, have come under fire for their handling of dangerous individuals.
As the investigation into the attack continues, there are growing calls for reform to ensure that high-security jails are equipped to handle inmates like Abedi without compromising the safety of prison staff or the public.