Muslim Prisoners Segregated at Own Request

H.M. Prison Winson Green in Birmingham has agreed to give Muslims prisoners their own private cells after some inmates complained about having to eat and pray near non-Muslims.

From the Mail on Sunday:

A prison has agreed to give Muslims their own cells after they complained about sharing with other inmates.

They were said to be unhappy at praying and eating near non-Muslims at Birmingham’s Winson Green jail.

It is thought to be the first time inmates have been segregated by religion. Prison bosses have decided to place them with other Muslims, or give them single cells when space is available.

More than 1,400 inmates, including murderers and robbers, are housed at the jail.

‘So far around 15 Muslim inmates have been accommodated either by being moved to a cell with another Muslim or put on their own,’ said a prison source. ‘They initially asked for their own wing but this was turned down.’

In June 2006, a High Court judge warned that Ministers must find cash to cope with growing prison numbers and called for an end to forced cell sharing. Mr Justice Keith’s concerns were included in his report into the racist murder of Asian prisoner Zahid Mubarek by his cellmate Robert Stewart at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institution in West London.

The judge called for a new concept of ‘institutional religious intolerance’ to combat prejudice against Muslim inmates.

There has also been concern among the 200-strong Muslim contingent in Winson Green about the halal meat served there. It had been prepared on site but, after complaints, is now brought in by an authorised supplier at what is thought to be extra cost.

One prison officer said: ‘This has caused resentment because it is felt the Muslim inmates are getting special treatment.’

A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘Prisoner requests to share cells can be accommodated in some circumstances, such as prisoners sharing religious and dietary needs. All requests are subject to a risk assessment.’

About ten per cent of the 80,000-strong jail population in England and Wales is Muslim.