Killers and terrorists have successfully obtained significant taxpayer-funded compensation and legal expenses totaling around one million pounds for being placed in solitary confinement. Three extremists and a gangland triple murderer argued that their isolation in prison was against the law. Justice Secretary David Lammy approved £7,500 in compensation and £234,000 in legal fees for double murderer Fuad Awale, who also held a prison officer hostage.
The High Court ruled that detaining Awale in a specialized unit for dangerous inmates at HMP Woodhill, Bucks violated his human rights. Another inmate, Denny De Silva, serving a minimum of 27 years for murder, was awarded £255,000 in legal costs after claiming that his segregation caused excessive anxiety.
Convicted terrorist Sahayb Abu and triple murderer Kevan Thakrar also succeeded in their cases challenging their isolation, with the total legal costs estimated at nearly £978,000. It was disclosed five years ago that 52 inmates were confined in specialized units, implying the government may face more similar cases in the future. Former prison officer Claire Lewis, who was attacked by Thakrar at Frankland jail in 2010, expressed outrage at the compensation payouts, as she was forced to retire due to severe injuries and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Lewis criticized the system, questioning if her daughter could sue the Ministry of Justice for her lost childhood due to the repercussions of the assault. Thakrar, known for his history of complaints and disruptive behavior, previously received compensation for damaged personal items while in prison. Despite his criminal record, Thakrar successfully argued that his extended isolation violated his right to privacy and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Thakrar, who is serving a life sentence for multiple murders, has faced legal battles around his treatment and actions within the prison system. Similarly, Awale, convicted for a double murder and other offenses, claimed severe depression due to his solitary confinement, leading to a court ruling in his favor based on human rights violations.
Opposition figures, like Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, criticized the compensation payouts to these violent offenders, emphasizing their criminal backgrounds and dangerous behaviors within the prison environment. The cases of these inmates, including their legal battles and the circumstances surrounding their confinement, have raised concerns about the management of dangerous prisoners in the UK penal system.
The Ministry of Justice declined to provide comments on the ongoing cases, leaving the outcomes of these legal battles and the implications for future similar cases uncertain.