https://www.gbnews.com/news/terrorist-uk-prisons-criminals-bombs

Terrorists in British prisons are teaching organised criminals how to make bombs in exchange for lessons on money laundering techniques, a new study has revealed.

The research reveals that extremist inmates are also learning from gang members how to navigate the dark web and obtain weapons that could be used in terror attacks.

The findings emerge amid growing concerns about the rise of Islamist gangs in prisons following violent attacks on prison officers.

The study, based on interviews with prison officers, former governors, counter-terrorism officials and inmates, suggests that traditional divisions between terrorists and other prisoners are breaking down.

The knowledge exchange involves terrorists acquiring illegal financial techniques to better fund their operations, whilst gang members and organised criminals discover how to assemble devastating new weapons to use against rivals.

Dr Hannah Bennett, author of the study, said: "Some prisoners are coming out knowing how to make a bomb. Others are learning how to use the dark web or commit financial crime. For many, it's about protection but it's also about opportunity."

One prisoner interviewed for the research described learning how to acquire and use "lethal missiles and mobile phone activated detonators" whilst incarcerated.

The report warns that released prisoners have continued hybrid activity, either joining gangs with ideological leanings or aiding terror networks in evading surveillance.

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: "Extremists and career criminals now operate with near impunity inside some of this country's highest-security prisons."

He added: "That is a complete failure of leadership and a dangerous abdication of one of the state's core duties: maintaining order behind bars."

"When Islamist terrorists and organised crime figures are left to forge alliances, we aren't just witnessing a security lapse we're watching a national threat incubate in plain sight. This cannot be allowed to continue."

The study warns that failing to identify and disrupt these exchanges risks allowing violent alliances to flourish both inside and beyond prison walls.

The findings come after several high-profile attacks on prison officers, including Hashem Abedi, the Manchester Arena bomber, who attacked three officers in a separation unit at HMP Frankland in County Durham in April.

A month later, Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer, allegedly threw boiling water from his kettle over an officer at HMP Belmarsh.

Dr Bennett described maximum security prisons with corruption, violence and lack of oversight as "black hole" environments where the risk is "exponentially higher".

Prof Ian Acheson, a former prison governor, said: "We have several 'black hole' prisons where a combination of weak authority, inexperience and poor leadership means the state has effectively surrendered the environment to prisoners."