Religion plays a major role in the life of a prisoner. After being thrown into prison, 
many inmates turn to religion for faith, guidance, and support to help them get through their incarceration. The largest convert populations in prison are Muslims. Although the numbers of Muslims in United States prisoners are unknown, it is estimated that between 9 to 15 percent of incarcerated prisoners are Muslim. The majority of those who convert to Islam behind bars are of African American descent.
Why do some incarcerated prisoners turn to Islam?
Many prisoners may turn to Islam for several reasons. On some accounts, many have turned to Islam because it does not tolerate racism, something many African American, Hispanic, and Asians have encountered throughout their entire lives. Islam also teaches patience and justice. When a person is in prison, they have time to think clearly and reflect upon their actions, and they’re able to take the time to learn about different forms of faith. They are able to turn to God for forgiveness and start a new path in their lives, usually with Islam.
What happens to these Muslim converts once they are released from prison?
One of the most unfortunate things about many Muslim converts who revert in prison is that once they are released, many of them return to their old habits. Many who come out of prison are faced with issues such as unemployment and sometimes poverty and discrimination. Those that have lost friends and family have a difficult time finding companionship and support. In prison, many had the support of fellow Muslim inmates, but once they are released, these converts are thrown in the streets, alone, without any support from their Muslim brothers or sisters. And unfortunately, just like in any other community, discrimination and racism can be found in some Muslim communities as well. Many people fear those who are released from prison because they are labeled as criminals and aren’t easily forgiven by the public.
What can we do to foster these Muslim converts?
What we should be more welcoming to these converts and greet them with open arms. We should all be able to provide support for those who need it. Many members of the Muslim community turn away from these converts at the time they need it the most. Instead of shying away, we should be forming more support groups that will help provide job opportunities, money, food, Islamic resources, and companionship that they need to get them going. Otherwise they’ll return back to their old habits out of desperation for money, food, and shelter. We should be doing a better job fostering our fellow brothers and sisters after encountering a difficult journey, and help them get back on their feet and continue to share this beautiful religion with the rest of the world.
Great article Bayan. This is a subject that needs more attention. Helping Muslim converts once they are released needs to be a higher priority for the general Muslim community. First, it benefit the general society. By helping them assimilute to society by helping them find a job, welcoming them to the local masjid and by being their friend, they are less likely to revert to the habits that got them into prison. Secondly, there should be a moral obligation for us to welcome them sense they have a right over us. Finally, there are many muslim convert that have made enormous contribution to the muslim and general society. Obviously Malcom X comes to mind. Therefore, we should look at it as an opportunity.
Great article! Important issue that needs more attention.
It’s a nice idealistic fantasy to welcome them back into our communities with open arms.
If a brother was in prison for years, became muslim, got released a couple months ago, and wants to marry your sister / daughter / etc, will you be for it? I wish I could say yes, but I know I wouldn’t, that’s the honest truth.
We as a community need to establish a process by which they can get on their two feet, and establish themselves there as solid muslim contributing members of society. This will require setting up a network for them to land good jobs, and move out of their old communities first. Once they have proven themselves, we need to be able to measure that in some way. This will be tricky, and won’t be as simple as checking their post-prison criminal history. Once they’ve been out of prison for a good 3-5 years, haven’t gone back into crime, are respected members of the community, have taken STD exams, etc, then maybe some of us can start answering yes to the question above.
I really enjoyed reading the article, thank you.
Salam Alaikum,
Such a great topic that needed to be addressed. Very well written. Thanks so much!
Thank you for addressing this issue! Please continue to blog about these issues and keep us up to date on what’s up at IYTP.
Salaamz. I remember speaking to a brother at a conference who was trying to start a non-profit for former prisoners. He was a convert himself who had spent time in prison. Also, Suhaib Webb has spoken up about this, specifically with regard to marriage. It is often very challenging for men to find spouses. And even more recently, Imam Zaid Shakir spoke about prison and penal system as the new Jim Crow. This makes this a very timely issue. What organizations are out there, and how do we get involved?
Yes, very interesting indeed!
This is very enlightening. Thanks for sharing!
Changing from a negligent (even racist) community to a supportive, welcoming community sounds like a process with more than one step. I think mere interaction with the brothers and sisters in prison would be a step in the right direction. It would make them more likely to seek integration into the community when they got out, and it would make the community less paranoid about ex-cons being part of the community.
A really simple thing anyone can do is find a few people who would like to go visit the brothers/sisters in prison. You just have to contact the prison, fill out a form, wait for security clearance, and then go visit, usually during their Jumua prayers. You just attend the jumua like any other and then chat afterwards for half an hour or so.
Wow! very informative article, I never knew that many prisoners convert to Islam. Very eye-opening article!
Good to know.
Islam is growing inshallah.
enjoyed the reading
its unfortunate. alot of prisoners convert to islam while they have completely lost connection with family and loved ones. when they come back out it is hard for them to join the muslim community due to the muslims lack of support and rahma.
Very good point Sister Aamina. We definitely are lacking in resources not for recently released prisoner but also anyone who gets into financial trouble.
Plus, the very fact that you went to prison, excludes you from most jobs. So like you said, where do they go to put their life back together. Statistics would say they go back to life of crime — which is not in the interest of the greater society. Here I am not referring to converts but released prisoners in general
nice read
Amazing article! JAK