Why Are So Many Muslims in Prison?

[Solomon2]

Why Are So Many Muslims in Prison?
by Johanna Markind • Aug 30, 2015
Cross-posted from Islamist Watch

Originally published under the title "Islam in Prison."

Muslims make up around 9% of state and federal prisoners in the United States.

The current issue of the New Yorker reports that, according to Paris-based Iranian sociologist Farhad Khosrokhavar, "of France's 64,000 prisoners, up to 60% are Muslim. (Muslims are thought to compose only 8% of the population.)"

Based on data from 2011, Pew Research Center estimated that Muslims made up 9% of the 1,598,780 state and federal prisoners in the United States. Pew also reported that as of 2010, about 0.8% of the U.S. population was Muslim, up from 0.6% in 1990. Data allegedly provided by the federal Bureau of Prisons reported that, as of 1997, Muslims made up 7.27% of the federal prison population.

In other words, Muslims are overrepresented in the French prison population by 7.5 times their percentage of the population. In the United States, although their overall percentage is smaller, Muslims are overrepresented in the prison population by 11.25 times their percentage of the population.

The percentage of Muslims inside U.S. prisons is more than 11 times their percentage of the overall population.

Why? A couple of possible explanations spring to mind, neither one of which is exclusive.

One possibility is that Muslims may be committing crimes at a higher rate than other groups.

Another is that large numbers of prisoners are converting to Islam. There is evidence that this is in fact the case. The New Yorker article offers a sociological explanation of why and how this happens in French prisons. Conversion also appears to be common in U.S. prisons. See also here, here, here, andhere.

What makes this truly disturbing is the form of Islam to which prisoners are converting. Much has been written about the radicalization of Muslims in French prisons (for example, here, here, here, andhere). It is also happening in U.S. prisons (see here and here). Despite earlier efforts to obscure this issue, it isn't going away any time soon. Expect it to get worse before it gets better.

Johanna Markind is associate counselor at the Middle East Forum

 

[Talwar e Pakistan]

Why Are So Many Muslims in Prison?
by Johanna Markind • Aug 30, 2015
Cross-posted from Islamist Watch

Originally published under the title "Islam in Prison."

Muslims make up around 9% of state and federal prisoners in the United States.

The current issue of the New Yorker reports that, according to Paris-based Iranian sociologist Farhad Khosrokhavar, "of France's 64,000 prisoners, up to 60% are Muslim. (Muslims are thought to compose only 8% of the population.)"

Based on data from 2011, Pew Research Center estimated that Muslims made up 9% of the 1,598,780 state and federal prisoners in the United States. Pew also reported that as of 2010, about 0.8% of the U.S. population was Muslim, up from 0.6% in 1990. Data allegedly provided by the federal Bureau of Prisons reported that, as of 1997, Muslims made up 7.27% of the federal prison population.

In other words, Muslims are overrepresented in the French prison population by 7.5 times their percentage of the population. In the United States, although their overall percentage is smaller, Muslims are overrepresented in the prison population by 11.25 times their percentage of the population.

The percentage of Muslims inside U.S. prisons is more than 11 times their percentage of the overall population.

Why? A couple of possible explanations spring to mind, neither one of which is exclusive.

One possibility is that Muslims may be committing crimes at a higher rate than other groups.

Another is that large numbers of prisoners are converting to Islam. There is evidence that this is in fact the case. The New Yorker article offers a sociological explanation of why and how this happens in French prisons. Conversion also appears to be common in U.S. prisons. See also here, here, here, andhere.

What makes this truly disturbing is the form of Islam to which prisoners are converting. Much has been written about the radicalization of Muslims in French prisons (for example, here, here, here, andhere). It is also happening in U.S. prisons (see here and here). Despite earlier efforts to obscure this issue, it isn't going away any time soon. Expect it to get worse before it gets better.

Johanna Markind is associate counselor at the Middle East Forum

Yes many Muslims are in jail, but most of them converted while in jail and were not taken to jail as Muslim - such as famous Muslims like Malcolm and Muhammad Ali.

 

[Khafee]

Yes many Muslims are in jail, but most of them converted while in jail and were not taken to jail as Muslim - such as famous Muslims like Malcolm and Muhammad Ali.

But the Resident Zionist Brigade, would have you believe otherwise.

 

[herono1]

Simple answer. Because they are criminals.

 

[Maarkhoor]

Yes many Muslims are in jail, but most of them converted while in jail and were not taken to jail as Muslim - such as famous Muslims like Malcolm and Muhammad Ali.

First Islamophobia next many bew converts are muslims so they face double racisim.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Many of the US conversions are to the Nation of Islam, which appeals to black Americans as it offers an alternate explanation for why they didn't succeed in the mainstream culture (whitey held them back) and a supposedly "proven" lifestyle (no drinking, drugs or fornicating) and brotherhood that will keep them from sliding back into prison when they finish their terms.

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

Many of the US conversions are to the Nation of Islam, which appeals to black Americans as it offers an alternate explanation for why they didn't succeed in the mainstream culture (whitey held them back) and a supposedly "proven" lifestyle (no drinking, drugs or fornicating) and brotherhood that will keep them from sliding back into prison when they finish their terms.

NOI is not close to Islam, other than carrying the same name.

The OP's question is answered by the article itself. As would a question asking why African Americans are out-proportioned in the US Prison population.

 

[TruthSeeker]

NOI is not close to Islam, other than carrying the same name.

Now, now. We mustn't be judgmental. Who are you to say what is "Islam" and what isn't? There is no commonly recognized group or authority which can adjudicate the question: "Is this group authentically Islamic?" The Nation of Islam says they are Islamic, therefore they are. Q.E.D.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Many of the US conversions are to the Nation of Islam, which appeals to black Americans as it offers an alternate explanation for why they didn't succeed in the mainstream culture (whitey held them back) and a supposedly "proven" lifestyle (no drinking, drugs or fornicating) and brotherhood that will keep them from sliding back into prison when they finish their terms.

Well let's be honest... Blacks are at disadvantage historically.


According to British govts reports Muslims are more likely to suffer discrimination (getting jobs).. A Muslim (in UK) has to submit twice as many CVs than a non Muslim .. Same goes for dudes who have Asian or African sounding names.


In France .. Again Muslims face discrimination & prejudice .. It's official .. You can find several reports on that.


As for Nation of Islam.. Well the less said the better..

Now, now. We mustn't be judgmental. Who are you to say what is "Islam" and what isn't? There is no commonly recognized group or authority which can adjudicate the question: "Is this group authentically Islamic?" The Nation of Islam says they are Islamic, therefore they are. Q.E.D.

They are as Islamic as Ron Jeremy is Jewish..

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

Now, now. We mustn't be judgmental. Who are you to say what is "Islam" and what isn't? There is no commonly recognized group or authority which can adjudicate the question: "Is this group authentically Islamic?" The Nation of Islam says they are Islamic, therefore they are. Q.E.D.

NOI recognizes their founder Elijah Mohammad as the last Prophet, not the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Although the current leader Elijah's son, whats his name, is beginning to toe the line of Islam.

 

[VCheng]

NOI recognizes their founder Elijah Mohammad as the last Prophet, not the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

So can we exclude the Ahmadiyyas on this basis too?

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

So can we exclude the Ahmadiyyas on this basis too?

There are Shia who recognize Hazarat Ali (AHI) as the ALLAH when the Shahada is pronounced. Should we recognize them as Muslim?

The Shahada says clearly, "There's no God but ALLAH, and Muhammad (PBUH) is the last/final Messenger/ Prophet of ALLAH."

Can I say that the Shahada is referring to me when Muhammad is pronounced and be considered an Muslim? Or when ALLAH is pronounced it's referring to Superman?

I'm not here to call out groups, but just point out any discrepancies.

 

[VCheng]

There are Shia who recognize Hazarat Ali (AHI) as the ALLAH when the Shahada is pronounced. Should we recognize them as Muslim?

The Shahada says clearly, "There's no God but ALLAH, and Muhammad (PBUH) is the last/final Messenger/ Prophet of ALLAH."

Can I say that the Shahada is referring to me when Muhammad is pronounced and be considered an Muslim? Or when ALLAH is prounced it's referring to Superman?

So can we exclude Shias as Muslims too?

 

[Khafee]

There are Shia who recognize Hazarat Ali (AHI) as the ALLAH when the Shahada is pronounced. Should we recognize them as Muslim?

The Shahada says clearly, "There's no God but ALLAH, and Muhammad (PBUH) is the last/final Messenger/ Prophet of ALLAH."

Can I say that the Shahada is referring to me when Muhammad is pronounced and be considered an Muslim? Or when ALLAH is prounced it's referring to Superman?

They are called Nusairies or Alawiyahs (not to be confused with the sub continental Alavis, who are primarily Sunnis)
Alawites - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Thəorətic Muslim]

So can we exclude Shias as Muslims too?

I think it's pretty self explanatory.

They are called Nusairies or Alawiyahs (not to be confused with the sub continental Alavis, who are primarily Sunnis)
Alawites - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm just being straight forward.

The Shahada was thoroughly explained and which and to who each word was in reference to.

Would a person who's claiming Buddha as Jesus's father be considered a Catholic Christian?

To each his/her own.