GETTY Extremism is growing behind bars, Italian prison guards have warned

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They said the imams were free to enter and travel within the prisons at will, spreading messages and propaganda and leading to the creation of jihadi cells behind bars. They also said the 70 mosques within the country’s jails were leading to a spike in jihadi recruitment. Donato Capece, the general secretary for Italy’s biggest prison guard union, said prisons needed help to stop the growth of extremism.

He said: “There are twenty imams coming in and out [of the country’s jails] just like parish priests do. And that is in addition to 150 self-proclaimed imams, who are in jail serving a sentence.

GETTY Donato Capece said imams could travel at will within prisons

“They are all free to move from section to section from the morning until the evening and this has caused the elimination of the guard who went to check each section from time to time.” He said there was enough evidence to show extremism in prisons was growing to demand more help from the government.

The fight against ISIS Fri, November 18, 2016 The battle against ISIS militants (also abbreviated as Daesh, ISIL, IS and Islamic State) continues in the Middle East. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 183 Forces battle against ISIS

Mr Capece said: “Let’s remember the last arrest in Ciampino of an alleged terrorist who had been radicalised in prison but there are several precedents.” He said prisoners were losing their discipline and attacking guards or starting fights leading to an environment of chaos in which terrorist recruiters flourish.

GETTY Mr Capece said Italian prisons needed more support from the government to combat terrorism

Mr Capece said: “They have fun kicking men in uniforms or triggering riots. This is the way used by suspected terrorists to contact ordinary people, who are indoctrinated and become a risk for the future." He concluded by appealing for support from the Italian government when it comes to hiring new guards - especially those who speak Arabic.

YOUTUBE Mr Capece said more Arabic speakers were needed