What's the reason for prison inmates converting to Islam in western world?

[Bigboii]

I don't know the data but every other guy out of prison is a Muslim convert after a jail stint especially in black community (don't take it literally its more of a hyperbole)

I know in NY theirs a big network of Nation of Islam in prison but this phenomenon is observed in west coast and from what I know also in UK and other European countries with Muslim diaspora

So what's the reason?

What's the attraction?

 

[blackanhyellow]

I would imagine its different for each individual.

Some prisons are tough to survive in without finding a group to join. So this could be a factor.

Could also be special religious privaliges. Halal food may be better than the normal food.

Maybe people are bored out of their minds and decide to read the quran, and it actually speaks to them.

Or it could be that they feel regret for whatever they did and want to seek redeption. Islam forgives sins when you revert.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think they find beauty in Islam. Islam gives them a new hope. That's why they convert.

 

[Tubs]

Some great points raised in the thread.

Islam is very community-oriented. So maybe someone who is lonely, doesn't want to/can't join a gang may be drawn to Islam.

Some of the fundamentalist Muslims may harbour anti-West sentiments, and that may be attractive to someone who is incarcerated as they may be mad at the system in place.

Many inmates convert to Christianity too, but that's likely to be seen as less strange in the West, as it's the dominant religion.

While I dislike religion, I understand how it can give hope, and I'm sure many inmates need that at the time.

There's my 2 pence.

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

Prisons allow pastor visits and religious services .Tableeghi jamat does a lot of work in the prisons I believe .

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I remember reading an article from Tyson who said the disciplines were very attractive to someone with his personality. I imagine it will be the same for a lot of people in prison, probably makes a healthy change from the nihilistic path of their former life.

 

[Robert]

I don't know the data but every other guy out of prison is a Muslim convert after a jail stint especially in black community (don't take it literally its more of a hyperbole)

I know in NY theirs a big network of Nation of Islam in prison but this phenomenon is observed in west coast and from what I know also in UK and other European countries with Muslim diaspora

So what's the reason?

What's the attraction?

I can only talk about the UK, but....

Getting into a big gang for protection.

A perception that halal jail food is better.

A powerful patriarchal figure to replace the absent or abusive father who was a factor in their criminality.

Plenty of people turn to Christ in jail too. The though that God loves you and forgives your sins is powerfully redemptive. I knew a probation officer who became a prison pastor because he felt that had more effect on prisoner rehabilitation.

 

[Third_Umpire]

It probably gives the hopeless some hope. Plenty of space to occupy for Islam and other religions to occupy in an empty void, which is what most people find themselves to be in prison. In the absence of other mood enhancing substances or outlets (medication, drugs, alcohol) religion is a good substitute.

Gives the idle mind something to do.