Muslim Inmates Face Religious Restrictions in US Prisons, NGO Reports

Religious freedom does not stop at the entrance of a prison. This maxim is not respected in certain American prisons. Based on data from several American prisons, the NGO "Muslim Advocates" is concerned about the restrictions faced by Muslim inmates, particularly in terms of diet and religious practices.

The latest report from the NGO "Muslim Advocates", entitled "Realizing the Promise of Free Exercise for All: Accommodating Muslim Prisoners in State Prisons", is alarming. This report, published on July 25, identified several dysfunctions, including the overrepresentation of Muslim women in American prisons, the growing increase in the number of Muslim inmates in prisons in most American states, administrative segregation and deprivation of free exercise of worship as punishment.

The first finding is the strong presence of Muslims in American prisons. They represent 9% of the total prison population. While most Muslim inmates are men, Muslim women are also present in significant numbers in state prisons. The states concerned by this strong female presence are Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin, not to mention Kansas.

Muslim prisoners face problems of housing, adapted (halal) diet and prayer. 57 of the 163 cases reported by the NGO, or 35%, concerned restrictions on the ability to pray. In certain penitentiary establishments, they are prohibited from praying, while other religious groups were authorized to do so. Most of these Muslim prisoners were often forced to pray outside the building, "in extreme weather conditions, including cold, snow and rain".