In response to the recent attack by the Manchester Arena bomber Hashem Abedi on three prison officers at HMP Frankland, the government has taken the step to suspend the use of kitchens in prison separation centres, where some of the most dangerous and extremist inmates are housed. Abedi used hot oil and blades fashioned from cooking trays to harm the officers, causing serious injuries to two male officers who remain hospitalized, while a female officer has been discharged.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed concern over the handling of Abedi in the separation centre at HMP Frankland, where he had access to the kitchen. As a result of the incident, access to kitchens in close supervision centres, located within six high-security prisons, has also been suspended. Abedi, who had been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 55 years for his involvement in the 2017 suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande concert, had been transferred to the separation centre at HMP Full Sutton following the attack in the kitchen.
The Ministry of Justice has announced a full review into the incident, which marks the second violent attack by Abedi on prison officers. Mark Fairhurst, national chairman of the prison officers’ association, called for cooking facilities to be restricted or removed from separation centres, citing concerns about the potential for copycat incidents. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has stated that she will seek the “strongest possible punishment” for Abedi in light of the recent attack
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