Muslim gangs in British prisons

The Muslim prison population in England and Wales has sharply increased in recent years. Many former inmates and prison officers claim gangs of Muslim prisoners are an increasingly powerful force. Muslims represent 12% (9,795) of the prison population in England and Wales, according to the latest available figures from 2008. This has risen by 50% over five years. In some high security prisons, the figures are well above average. In 2008, Muslim prisoners accounted for a third (34%) of prisoners in HMP Whitemoor, in March, Cambridgeshire, and about a quarter (24%) of inmates in HMP Long Lartin, in Evesham, Worcestershire. Non-Muslim prisoners have been seriously assaulted and intimidated for refusing to abide by unofficial rules imposed by Muslim gangs, about eating pork or listening to Western music.