Introduction
European prisons increasingly hold inmate populations with diverse religious backgrounds due to globalization in terms of migration and globalized crime. The presence of religion in prison life has potential of aiding inmate rehabilitation, but it may also cause disagreements and conflicts. Although prison life in general is characterized by deprivation, international research shows that “Muslim prisoners feel particularly deprived of their rights if they are denied access to collective prayers, halal food, protection of modesty, and the spiritual support of suitably qualified Imams” (Beckford, Joly, Khosrokhavar, 2005: 279). The issue of religion in prison is therefore of utmost importance albeit treated differently in various countries. Prison authorities in some countries actively engage in ensuring that Muslim inmates can practice their religion, for instance by employing prison imams, providing halal food or by making space available for common prayers. In other cou...
