New Report Alleges Muslims Face Harsher Treatment and Bias in UK Prison System
A new report by the UK-based charity Maslaha claims that Muslim prisoners are being disproportionately affected by harsher prison rules and disciplinary systems across the UK.
The study suggests that Muslim inmates are more likely to receive warnings, face severe punishments, and lose privileges compared to non-Muslim prisoners. It also finds they are less likely to be selected for prison jobs or education programmes.
According to the report, Muslims made up a higher share of disciplinary cases and punishment days than their proportion of the prison population between 2023 and 2025. They were also more likely to receive negative outcomes under the Incentives and Earned Privileges system.
Maslaha warns that proposed sentencing reforms aimed at reducing overcrowding could deepen these disparities, particularly under an “earned progression” model that affects early release decisions.
The report also includes testimonies from prisoners describing unfair treatment and lack of transparency in disciplinary processes, with concerns that decisions are sometimes made without sufficient evidence.
While the UK Prison Service has rejected claims of systemic discrimination, Maslaha argues that long-standing patterns suggest minority groups, particularly Muslims, continue to face unequal treatment despite previous reforms and oversight eff
