Report into Manchester Arena bomber's prison attack proposes US-style rewards system
A report by Jonathan Hall KC has examined how Hashem Abedi, who was jailed for life for the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, was able to attack prison staff at HMP Frankland on 12 April. During the incident, Abedi allegedly used boiling oil and improvised weapons fashioned from cake tins to attack four prison officers, hospitalising three. He pleaded not guilty to charges including attempted murder, assault causing actual bodily harm, and possessing offensive weapons.
Abedi was held in a separation centre at Frankland, one of three established following the 2017 terrorist attacks to keep extremists away from the general prison population. The report questions how Abedi accessed kitchen utensils to create weapons. Hall's review also considers whether internal findings suggest changes are needed in placing extremist offenders in separation centres, balancing security with long-term offender management.
The report is understood to propose introducing a US-style system modeled on ADX Florence, where prisoners are continuously evaluated and privileges such as exercise, radio, and television access are earned or removed based on closely monitored behaviour. This approach aims to manage the most dangerous inmates through a structured punishment and rewards system.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has been urged to publish the independent report, with Labour's Andy Slaughter calling for immediate release to help prevent similar attacks in the future. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated that protecting frontline staff is a priority, announcing the rollout of body armour to thousands of officers and expanded use of Tasers. The government plans to publish Hall's report and its response in due course. Abedi is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey in February.
