Convicted terrorists will be banned from taking a leading role in religious services and face more rigorous checks for extremist literature.

The new rules are part of a government plan to crack down on dangerous radicalisers behind bars.

Terrorist prisoners will not be able to lead the call to prayer or deliver sermons.

This is in addition to existing measures preventing the most dangerous prisoners leading Friday prayers by extending the ban to all faiths and not just those in high-security prisons.

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The government has also confirmed limits on prisoners’ property that will prevent extremists dodging prison rules to hide and spread extremist texts.

While under prison rules there are no limits on the number of books prisoners can own, tougher restrictions will state they must fit into two medium size boxes with a maximum weight of 15kg.

This week also sees construction beginning on a new Close Supervision Centre at HMP Frankland – a separate wing to hold the most physically violent prisoners, including terrorists.

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Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk said: “These changes, alongside tougher sentences for terrorists who commit crimes behind bars and our work to separate more of the most radical terrorists, will better protect our hardworking staff, other prisoners and the public.”

There are currently around 200 convicted terrorists in custody, many of whom attempt to justify their offences through their interpretation of religion.

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