How many Muslims are there in US prisons today?
There are many, many Muslims in prison across the United States.
In fact, a 2019 report found that Muslims make up as much as 9% of the US state and federal prison population, despite comprising only about 1% of the total US population. And anecdotal evidence suggests the real number may be even more, held artificially low by a lack of records in many institutions.
So how many Muslim brothers and sisters are actually behind bars in America today? And, perhaps more importantly, why are Muslims so overrepresented in the prison population versus the US population at large?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the Muslim prison population and a few of the factors that have drawn prisoners to convert behind bars.
The complete picture of Muslims behind bars in America
Just how many Muslims are in US prisons?
The reality is, there is no one count of prisoners by religion, so we’ve pulled data from a few sources to get a better picture. As of 2019, there were 1,380,427 people in US state prisons and approximately 9% of those individuals identified as Muslim, giving us about 125,000 Muslims in state prisons. The federal prison population is smaller as was known to have at least 11,000 Muslims as of July, 2021, for a total of over 136,000 Muslims in US state and federal prisons.
Less is known about the 745,000 or more individuals being held in jails, but the percentage may well be a bit lower because – as you may or may not know – many of these 136,000 or more Muslims are converting to Islam while in prison.
But why are there so many Muslims behind bars?
That same 2019 report from Muslim advocates found that, despite slightly declining overall prison populations, in many states, the number of incarcerated Muslims is still increasing. This is, first and foremost, because prisoners are converting to Islam while behind bars.
“About 90 percent of incarcerated Muslims in the United States become Muslims during their incarceration,” Tariq Aquil, a Muslim chaplain who works in California's state prison system, told NPR.
And in our experience as an organization providing support, religious education, and life skills programs to incarcerated Muslims, we’ve found that to be true.
There are a number of factors that can draw inmates to Islam, but many of our students have shared that they were inspired to convert by what they saw from Muslim community behind bars.
As an example, we received a letter from a Tayba student, Sulaymaan, who shared:
“In the maximum security prison, or “The Max” as it was called, anarchy was the law of the land and apocalypse was the rule. “Cons”, or convicts, refused to follow any order. So the mosque became the only place where any sane person who didn’t like violence at the Max could go to get away and be around some people who actually smiled and used logic and common sense. Where else could anyone go? There was no school. No college. No vocation. Nothing. Just Islam.”
For brother Faheem, another Tayba student, it was the genuine brotherhood that served as inspiration:
“I was still a gang banger at heart and very much a part of that lifestyle. I truly believed in that street brotherhood. It was a deceitful, treacherous, and selfish brotherhood. And seeing those brothers in [the Muslim] community display Islamic brotherhood and how they loved, respected, honored, provided, and inspired one another enlightened me. The levels of selflessness, service, generosity, appreciation, gratitude, and sacrifice that they were displaying amongst each other was unprecedented and like I had never seen before. I just had to be a part of that brotherhood.”
Many describe hearing the Qur’an or seeing the Muslims pray and wanting to be a part of that – then finding that Islam resonates with them as they seek more knowledge.
Brother Jason told us:
“I was on my way to visit a friend of mine at his cell. When I arrived, I heard him singing, only it wasn't like anything I heard before, nor was it in a language I understood. But it was so beautiful. I asked him what he was singing and he said it was the Qur’an. I asked if he would sing more of it and he obliged. As I listened, I couldn't get enough. My heart filled with this intense warmth, and was moved in a way I cannot explain. It was almost like my heart recognized something that "I” knew nothing about. When I had to return to my cell for lockdown, he gave me his Qur'an as a gift. When I began to read it, I was instantly drawn to the Fatihah… then when I started to read Baqarah, within the first 40 verses, it was like a light switch turned on inside of me and there was no doubt. My heart was convinced and covered with this sense of peace and tranquility. The answers I have longed for were there.”
Conversion and a legacy of social justice
Another important factor bringing prisoners to Islam is the legacy of Muslims and especially Black Muslim converts in the US prison system. Civil rights leaders of the 1960s and 70 – including, most significantly, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X – were introduced to Islam while behind bars. They found in their new religion a sense of peace and hope, along with new ways to cope with and fight back against the many struggles and injustices experienced in their lifetimes.
And Muslims, converts and otherwise, have continued to fight for prisoner rights in the US to this day through prisoner-led litigation. Muslims have filed lawsuits and successfully won increased religious freedoms and protections for prisoners of all religions throughout the past several decades, working alongside fellow incarcerated individuals from all walks of life to achieve better conditions for all. Today, incarcerated Muslims – including some Tayba students – have ongoing lawsuits advocating for the right to basic religious accommodations, like halal food, books, prayer mats, and access to a Muslim chaplain.
This history of activism and positive action has been an added draw to Islam for many prisoners, adding a sense of history and community. And, mash’Allah, Islam has brought them comfort and a roadmap to a better life.
A force for good in the lives of the incarcerated
“Even in what could be termed as a dungeon, the light of Allah shines through.” - Amin, former Tayba student
While community and history may provide the impetus for many inmates to explore Islam, the reality is that, regardless of what draws them in, for many, their newfound religion becomes a strong force for good in their lives. Here are what a few of our students had to say about their conversion, in their own words:
“When I first was incarcerated, I felt that it would be better to die than be in prison. I no longer feel like that. I look at prison as a blessing. It may have saved me from dying in a state of disbelief and it has given me an opportunity to enter the Jannah (in sha Allah).” - Craig
“I was a drug addict in the past, but Islam has removed the desire to engage in intoxicants, so I am confident that I will not return to that state. I was an addict for 25 years before Islam freed me. Best way I can describe my life before this incarceration is difficult, painful, confusing and lonely. Had many years with no contact between my children and I, but Inshallah we will reconcile when I get out this time … One of my daughters has now contacted me and stated the desire to get to know me now.” - Brian
“I would love to be a scholar. I want to be able to understand Allah's deen as much as humanly possible. I believe I have the mindset for it too, even if my writing isn't so great. I would also like to take what I've learned and try to help those here in prison who want to change and grow in this deen too. I don't want to see those guys go home with the same mindset they had coming in and wind up coming back to prison, you know?” - Roy
We have been fortunate to see, time and time again, how embracing Islam has helped those on the wrong path to find peace and a more positive course, and those imprisoned unjustly to better handle the challenges they face. It is an honor to help prisoners learn their religion and work to live their lives more in alignment with their deen.
But Muslims in prison face many challenges
Trouble is, becoming a Muslim in prison is not easy. Resources are few and far between. For those 11,073 Muslims in federal prison, there are only 13 Muslim chaplains.
The legacy of fighting for prisoner rights may be a beacon of hope, but the reality is that Muslims are often at the forefront of these legal battles because they are not receiving the accommodations they need to fully practice their faith. Muslims face many struggles in prison, including the denial of even basic religious necessities and accommodations, from limits on wearing hijab and holding jumu’ah to refusal of Ramadan accommodations, lack of halal food – and worse.
But there is some good news.
You can help change things for the better
When you donate to Tayba Foundation, you offer much-needed support to the many Muslims in US prisons today.
Our organization is working to provide reliable, accessible religious education to help Muslim converts and those rediscovering their religion better understand their deen. We’re working to help fill the gaps left by a lack of qualified prison Imams. And we’re providing supporting life skills courses, legal initiatives, and re-entry programs to ensure that these Muslim brothers and sisters have the resources they need to live and rejoin society as the upstanding, productive community members they want to be.
As one of the only organizations doing this work for the over 135,000 Muslim members of the prison population, we need your help to keep growing and expanding. Find out more about our programs, send a message of support to our students, or make a donation today.
