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20 Oct 08
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There are 90 Muslim prisoners serving time for terrorist offences, and the Ministry fears that, if left unchallenged, their violent, jihadist interpretation of Islam will spread.
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A Ministry source said that to be a Muslim in jail was now seen as ‘cool’, and while Muslim prisoners once felt isolated and vulnerable, they were now ‘flexing their muscles’. This made it all the more important to ensure that extremist views did not spread.
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On the front line are approximately 150 prison imams, who are expected to challenge extremist beliefs on the basis of their own religious knowledge.
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They now number 153, around 35 per cent – proportionately more than in any other prison, and ten times the percentage in the population at large.
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After years of slow growth, since 2006 the number of Muslims in the prison has doubled.
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‘In Long Lartin , I’ve seen them throwing pots of hot ghee over two black boys who wouldn’t turn Muslim,’ he says. ‘The violence here isn’t so bad. But if you’re not one of them, they shun you.’ He says he wants to stay in the unit.
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‘I understand the politics, and I know I’m likely to die in prison. I feel I’m here for a purpose. For me, it’s like a decree from God. Whatever it is, I’m happy with it.’
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The Extremism Unit is investigating at least one longer-range strategy that may help deal with jihadists: cognitive behavioural therapy, similar to the ‘de-programming’ methods used to ‘unbrainwash’ members of religious cults.
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‘De-programming’ sex offenders is one thing; to do the same with a prisoner’s faith and political beliefs quite anothe
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