UnCaptured #2
This is the second edition of a booklet series from Maslaha which builds greater knowledge about Muslims in prison. UnCaptured shares stories and viewpoints on the experiences of Muslims in prison that are not normally published. It is borne out of Maslaha’s approach combining practice with theory. Our practice is with people in prison and with those in the community - building interventions that respond to the immediate harms of prison, and point to sustainable community infrastructure. This issue is about families.
This second edition of UnCaptured is dedicated to family. Family that the prison system isolates you from and chosen family that is nurtured within prison walls.
Being separated from a loved one by prison is unfortunately common for so many families, yet the impact is not fully recognised. With 18% of people in prisons in England and Wales identifying as Muslim, the reach of the criminal justice system is deep into our communities.
Families are directly experiencing the consequences of imprisonment – the effects are social, financial, emotional, psychological, and physical. At the same time the prison system finds multiple ways to isolate incarcerated Muslims from their support networks outside.
We show how Muslims are more likely to experience so-called ‘use of force’ from prison staff. When violence is enacted against someone in prison, families face increased anxiety wondering “will they get medical advice”, “will I be able to visit them to check they’re alright”; “how long will they be in segregation?” Questions which often have negative answers.
We have heard from Muslim families about their financial struggle, especially when a source of income has been lost. The struggle to sustain regular visits as a loved one is repeatedly moved longer distances away; to continue sending money so they can purchase everyday items such as food, prayer mats, soap - especially when prison ‘jobs’ are denied due to racism and discrimination.
By centring these stories – those which are often left out of many analyses and official government reports – we begin to see how the harms of prison extend well beyond their physical boundaries.
This second edition includes:
Government data which shows the increasing use of force against Muslims in prison
An interview with Orisanmi Burton on his ground-breaking book Tip of the Spear and what we can learn from prison rebellions such as Attica
The work of the Collective Punishment Campaign in highlighting the impact of prison on parents and children
The role of Palestinian songs in resisting the harms of prison and maintaining bonds of kinship
A section on your rights during prison visits