Further Study on Muslim Prisoners Needed

Lord Sheikh Suggests Further Study

on Muslim Prisoners

Dr Mozammel Haque

Recently Lord Sheikh of Cornhill spoke on the Treatment of Muslims in the House of Lords and after that we had further discussion on Muslim prisoners via email.

Through email, Lord Sheikh told me: “In regard to Muslim prisoners I feel that we should undertake a study to look at the following issues:

Why there are so many Muslims in prisons

How are the prisoners treated by the staff?

Are they properly rehabilitated after they leave prisons?

To what extent do they re-offend?”

He also said, “I am writing to Lord Greenhaigh the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government to find out if the Government can support such a study.”

Earlier, Lord Sheikh was speaking in the House of Lords on Lammy Review. He said,

“My Lords, 41% of children in prisons are from the BAME community, and a large number of them are Muslims. About 15% of prisoners are Muslims, and in London, the figure is 27%. Some of those Muslims have been victimised by the staff. The custodial sentences imposed on those from BAME communities can be up to 10 years longer than those applied to white people—several lawyers have said this to me.”

He also mentioned, “There is an appalling lack of diversity in our judiciary, from the magistrates’ courts to the Supreme Court. Only 7% of judges are from BAME communities, and the figure for magistrates is 12%. Stop and search in BAME communities has risen by 69% for the last five years. I have been stopped by police for allegedly using a phone, which was not so. A sergeant then turned up and said that if there was any difference of opinion between me and his officer, he would believe the officer. I was appalled by the closing of ranks. I believe that I was picked upon because I was driving a Bentley coupé with a personalised number plate. Can the Minister comment on my points?”

Lord Keen of Elie [V]

In reply to that, The Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Keen of Elie said, “My Lords, we are of course concerned about ensuring visible diversity across the entire justice system. That is particularly challenging in the judiciary and magistracy, and we have introduced an education programme for those from backgrounds not properly represented to undertake training in order that they can apply. Further across the criminal justice system, I note that we have made progress. For example, with the Parole Board, there was grave underrepresentation of BAME members, but we reported in February this year that 53 independent members would join the board, 48% of whom are from a BAME background.”