White prisoners are being forced to convert to Islam by Muslim gangs, according to reports. New data from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) shows nearly one in five Muslims in prisons in England and Wales is white, a rate said to be almost four times that of the general population (5.8%).
Shadow minister demands investigation
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy disclosed the figure and said it “raises serious questions”. The senior Conservative has called on ministers to investigate the surge in conversions.
He told The Telegraph: “The percentage of Muslims who are white in our prisons is so vastly higher than in the general population it raises serious questions.
“We know that experts have warned repeatedly about forced conversions taking place behind bars, driven by Islamic gangs.
“We need to be honest that something is not right here – Labour must urgently investigate and stamp out forced conversions in prison.”
Rising Muslim inmate numbers
MoJ data also shows the number of Muslim inmates in English and Welsh prisons has risen to 18%, despite Muslims making up 6.5% of the general population.
There are also more Muslim chaplains (140) than Anglican or Church of England chaplains (87) in prisons across the two nations, according to the latest figures.
Gang coercion concerns
It comes after Government advisers highlighted concerns that gangs in some prisons are telling inmates to convert to Islam or face violence.
In a report, Jonathan Hall KC — the Government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation — said he found evidence of Islamist terrorists acting as “self-styled emirs” controlling jail inmates through “leadership and recruitment”.
According to The Telegraph, he said this included recruitment of “vulnerable or lonely prisoners, using guidance, sharing of food or material gifts” and “conversion backed by implicit or actual violence”.
An MoJ spokesman told the newspaper: “We do not tolerate intimidation, gang activity or faith-based coercion of any kind in our prisons. Prisons and staff act swiftly to clamp down on all threatening behaviour from any groups or individuals.”
