To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) how many convicted terrorists have been released from prisons in (a) Great Britain, and (b) Northern Ireland, since 2001; and (2) how many such convicted terrorists in each category have been convicted of further terrorist offences committed after their release.
Answered on
11 February 2020
1a) Between January 2013 and December 2019, 196 individuals convicted of a terrorist offence (individuals who have been convicted under the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006) have been released from prison in England and Wales. Prior to 2013, release data on Terrorism Act offenders was held at a local and regional level by relevant law enforcement partners, but not recorded centrally by the Ministry of Justice. Release data for Scotland is not held by the Ministry of Justice as prisons are a devolved matter.
1b) Release data for Northern Ireland is not held by the Ministry of Justice as prisons are a devolved matter.
2) Between January 2013 and December 2019, 6 individuals (3.06%) convicted of a terrorist offence (who have been convicted under the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006) have been released from prison and have been convicted of a further terrorist offence (under the Terrorism Act 2000 and 2006) in England and Wales. Prior to 2013, release data on Terrorism Act offenders was held at a local and regional level by relevant law enforcement partners, but not recorded centrally by the Ministry of Justice. Recidivism rates for Scotland and Northern Ireland are not held by the Ministry of Justice as prisons are a devolved matter.
All those convicted of an offence under the Terrorism Act who have been released on probation are closely managed by the National Probation Service. HMPPS works closely with law enforcement partners to share information and manage the risks that these offenders present in custody and on probation to reduce the risk of reoffending, and to support them to reintegrate into the community.