Overview
- MoJ figures reported on Tuesday show the number of Muslim inmates rose from 14,037 in 2022 to 16,051 by June 30, 2025 and white Muslim prisoners increased from 2,767 to 3,218 over the same period.
- Multiple government reviews, including Jonathan Hall KC’s 2022 report, documented Islamist inmates acting as influential leaders who recruit others using gifts, food sharing and threats and cited cases such as Usman Khan pressuring fellow prisoners.
- Opposition politicians and former prison officials have urged an urgent independent investigation and operational changes, while the Ministry of Justice says it does not tolerate intimidation or faith-based coercion and no new formal inquiry has been announced.
- Reviews and visiting lawyers say many conversions reflect a mix of coercion, protection-seeking and pragmatic choices — described as ‘convenience’ conversions — and inspectors have warned that gang control of wings and staff shortages make detection harder.
- If followed up, the controversy could lead to tighter intelligence, staff training, prisoner moves and changes to chaplaincy and oversight, with direct effects on prisoner safety and how prisons monitor religious activity.