“A large heterogeneous group of Muslim prisoners was identified, who generally wanted to peacefully practice their faith. The group offered many benefits to members which are mirrored in other studies of Muslim prisoner groups.
A smaller sub-group was operating as a gang under the guise of religion, which offered members the opportunity to engage in anti-establishment and criminal behaviours, to exert power and influence and provided protection. The findings are supported by other studies that have reported Muslim gangs operating in prisons, with similar motivations and behaviour. As with the present research, these studies have recognised the significant impact that gangs have on prison life and the need for careful management.
Affiliating to the gang also fulfilled a need to belong, which has been identified in the wider gang literature as an important driver for gang membership. Understanding the need to belong and identifying pro-social means of fulfilling this may help to reduce gang involvement in custody.
The study identified a clear hierarchy in the gang with defined leaders and followers along with roles of recruiters and enforcers who served to perpetuate the gang’s dominance and control, which accords with international research on prison gangs. The gang was considered to be a disruptive influence, being associated with much of the prison bullying, intimidation and violence. Similarities can be drawn between the Muslim gang in this study and gangs in prisons in the US, with the importance of violence being identified.
Recruitment to the gang was considered to be fundamental to its continued influence, with certain group members assuming responsibility of broadening membership. While recruitment was relatively indiscriminate, street gang members were particularly targeted for their propensity for violence. Vulnerable prisoners were also approached to join the gang.
There were strong themes of coercion, pressure and, in some cases, violence to increase numbers. Initially relational or indirect aggression was used in the form of psychological violence. However, there were reports of some extreme violence being enacted on those who were reluctant to convert.”
