LONDON, June 11,2010(KMW): The UK-based Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) has expressed serious concerns over the alienation and disaffection found among Muslim prisoners held in various prisons of United Kingdom. JKCHR Secretary General Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani in a statement on Friday has asked MP Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Prisons and Probation, to take urgent remedial measures to ensure that the stereotype treatment with Muslim inmates by prison staff as potentially dangerous militants is stopped forthwith. In his letter addressed to Blunt, Gilani has urged the Minister that the discriminatory
prison regime enforced by the prison staff as pointed out by Dame Anne Owers, Chief Inspector of Prisons, needs urgent attention of the government.
It is unfortunate that even though less than one percent of the 10,300 Muslim prisoners in England and Wales have been convicted of terrorism-related offences, the whole population of Muslim prisoners is being treated as potentially dangerous militants, Gilani said.
JKCHR letter adds that the finding made in the report that resources were poured into security at the expense of understanding the religious needs of Muslim prisoners is a serious breach of duty to care.
Gilani said that it is reassuring to note that Islam has “played a positive and rehabilitative role in the lives of many prisoners, despite staff being suspicious of religious acts”.
It is urgently required that prison staff has reliable training sessions in knowing the values embedded in Muslim faith and in ably discharging their duties as citizens of a multi-faith society.
JKCHR letter adds that Muslim prisoners should be encouraged to take part in more occupational activities and various groups working for the welfare of prisoners and other experts should be facilitated to have sustained and regular contact with these prisoners. Family visits and family contacts should be accorded top priority.
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