New research shows systematic discrimination against Muslims in UK prisons
New data shared exclusively with Middle East Eye has shown evidence of Muslim prisoners being disproportionately targeted by harsh prison regulations in the UK.
The report by the charity Maslaha revealed that Muslims in prison are more likely to receive severe punishments, and less likely to be considered for jobs and education schemes.
The campaign group suggests the need for an urgent review of the disparities in the punishments and incentive and privilege schemes in prisons in what they have called a “culture of covert discrimination”.
Maslaha, a social justice charity for Muslim communities in the UK, has also raised concerns that policies being brought in under the new Sentencing Act will be applied unevenly in a way that will disadvantage Muslims and other minority ethnic groups.
The Sentencing Act, which was passed in January 2026 but has not yet become law, was introduced to deal with prison overcrowding.
It involves changes to move towards an “earned progression” model that will allow for the earlier release of prisoners serving a fixed sentence, with exceptions if they have been given extra days for breaking prison rules.
However, Maslaha’s research shows that, as it stands, Muslims receive discrimination that limits their ability to benefit from the changes made to the early release scheme.
Read more: New research shows systematic discrimination against Muslims in UK prisons
Pigeons roosting on the top of the wall at HM Prison Pentonville in north London on 15 November 2016 (Ben Stansall/AFP)