PRISON workers joined calls from the government’s independent terror reviewer for a specific approach to separation centres and for “clear oversight and safeguards” for staff safety.

Jonathan Hall KC presented a report to the conference today which said that centres housing criminals convicted on terrorism charges should have tailored provisions to deal with inmates.

Ahead of Mr Hall’s speech, the POA unanimously accepted a motion supporting his recommendations to end “ineffective management of extremist risk inside prisons.”

Mr Hall said it was necessary to “strip away some of the bureaucracy” to protect officers who were not given the tools to respond to individuals “who present an extreme risk.”

POA general secretary Steve Gillan said these recommendations were not “convenient” but that they were necessary.

He endorsed Mr Hall’s findings, which he described as a call for “clarity around, clear criteria for placement” and would ensure “separation centres are used effectively, proportionately and lawfully.”