Researching Muslim ex-offenders

Justice agencies need community groups to help meet the needs of Muslim offenders.

The rise in the Muslim prison population over the last decade presents the Prison Service and Probation with significant challenges in fulfilling religious and cultural support needs. The Islamic Foundation funded Dr Muzammil Quraishi to look at how support for Muslim offenders and ex-offenders can be improved. Recommendations include:

• Muslim offenders may be from trans-national communities, and are subject to additional community, familial and religious obligations. Resettlement work needs to be aware of these, and support accordingly, if it is to be effective in preventing reoffending.
• Criminal Justice agencies need to work closely with third sector agencies, including faith groups, in order to meet support needs.
• Cultural and religious support needs to reflect the plurality and diversity within the UK Muslim population. Support in this area cannot easily be dealt with through standardised provision.