Two British men convicted of terrorism have won their appeal against their unlawful solitary confinement.

Kamel Bourgass and Tanvir Hussain were illegally held in solitary confinement while serving prison time, according to a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Bourgass, who received a life sentence for murdering a British police officer and Hussain who is serving an equal amount of time in prison for his involvement in a terrorist conspiracy, were both held in segregation for longer than what is legally permitted under British law.

Both men were subjected to 23 hours of solitary confinement and were not permitted contact with other prison inmates while being prohibited from education and work for months on end.

Solitary confinement can only be enforced for a maximum of 21 days according to British law.

The men were said to have been put under the harsh conditions that saw them separated from other prisoners after allegedly intimidating and bullying others in matters of faith.

They both deny claims that they tried to forcefully convert and dictate others.

The five justices involved in the case unanimously agreed that the prison’s decision to separate the men from other inmates for the said amount of time was unlawful.

They said: “That maximum reflects the well-known risks which solitary punishment poses to the mental health of those subjected to it for prolonged periods.”

 “In each case the appellant’s segregation beyond the initial period of 72 hours was not authorized, so was unlawful,” they added.

An attempt to raise human rights issues was denied by the Supreme Court.

Reports show Bourgass was held in solitary confinement on 10 March 2010 before being released on the 22 April. He was put back into confinement the following day, from the 23 April until October or November 2010.

Similarly. Hussain was held in solitary confinement from 24 April 2010 until October 2010.