: Terror Prompts New Focus on Islam in Prisons

Conversions to Islam in prisons have long been a part of correctional history, starting from the days of Malcolm X. But they have also been the subject of intense scrutiny since the arrests of Richard Reid and Jose Padilla, who both converted to Islam in prisons. American Muslim organizations have coordinated outreach efforts over the years with impressive results. Not only is Islam now the third most practiced religion in prison, but many Muslim men and women have become prison chaplains. Prison officials have noted the reform benefits provided and have accomodated the religion in comprehensive ways. Noting the trend, Christian missionaries such as Bob Morey and Chuck Colson have urged followers to counter the influence, linking the activities to terrorist recruitment. But others find it complementary to standard reform efforts. “(It) provides the discipline and accountability that’s a very significant factor in enabling men to pull their lives together,” says one chaplain (another chaplain even converted to Islam). And the terrorism connection is universally discounted by those involved. “Al Qaeda is made up of a lot of upper-middle-class Saudis who are religiously offended by the American way of life,” says one professor studying the phenomenon. “The boys in the hood are not offended by it. They want a piece of the American way of life.”

Shahed Amanullah is editor-in-chief of altmuslim.com.