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Muslim sex offenders could opt out of treatment programme 'because it's against their faith'
Last updated at 16:37pm on 09.04.08
It is against the rules of Islam for Muslims to discuss their crimes (file photo)
Muslim sex offenders are asking to be let off a prison treatment programme on religious grounds.
Rapists, paedophiles and other dangerous attackers are expected to discuss their crimes with other inmates as a condition of release.
But Muslim prisoners complain that criminals should not have to talk about their offences - a "legitimate Islamic position", according to Ahtsham Ali, the Prison Service's Muslim adviser.
One thousand inmates were put on the Sex Offender Treatment Programme last year with places usually reserved for the most dangerous attackers.
Failure to complete the course can weigh against an offender at parole hearings.
The possibility of an exemption for Muslims came to light in a letter from an unnamed inmate to Inside Time, a newspaper for prisoners.
The convict said: "I have always insisted that it was against Islamic teachings to discuss your offence to anyone, let alone act it out within a peer group."
Experts said ministers, who have launched a review of the issue, could face a legal challenge from Muslims kept longer in prison because they had not undergone the treatment programme.
Harry Fletcher, of the probation union Napo, said: "If they do not take part, Muslim sex offenders are likely to serve longer sentences, possibly the whole of their term, before they are released."
Nick Herbert, Tory justice spokesman, said: "There can be no religious discrimination when it comes to deciding the appropriate and safe time to release a prisoner.
"In any case, all prisoners, regardless of religion, should have their release made conditional on their behaviour and progress in custody, not be given automatic release at the half-way mark."
A Prison Service spokesman said officials were seeking to ensure the treatment programme was sensitive to "the diversity of religions within the prison context".
"Membership of a particular religion is not a bar to participation in accredited programmes," she insisted, adding that offenders were carefully vetted to ensure they were suitable candidates for the course.
Reader views (45)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
If speaking about their sexual offences is against their religion, perhaps chemical castration would be the a fitting punishment instead of a prolonged prison sentence - so as not to offend their religious sensibilities.
- Kumar, Malaysia
What a great country to live in - commit the crime, but don't do the time because of religious beliefs! Nothing surprises me anymore. Bring on the day when I can finally leave this mad house I used to call home.
- Maggie, London
An exemption for Muslim criminals from such important rehabilitation work can only alienate and divide our community further.
- Derek, London
This is one of many news articles that exposes the truth that large number of Muslims, many of whom live in Britain, believe rape, murder, pimping, theft and paedophilia are not crimes if they are committed against non-muslims. Why are these offenders and those that protect them tolerated in Britain today?
- Clare, London
Isn't it against their religious beliefs to commit the crime in the first place? Surely the religion wasn't a concern at that time, then it cannot be that important can it.
- Kim, Lancing, West Sussex
Isn't it against their religious beliefs to commit the crime in the first place? Surely the religion wasn't a concern at that time, then it cannot be that important can it.
- Kim, Lancing, West Sussex
I put it to you Ahtsham Ali, isn't raping women, children, attacking people also against your religion? You break the law, you get punished like everyone else. End of!
- Moo, South London, UK
Nu-Labour needs to go. This is not right. We should stop the discrimination against our own people!
- Georgie, Islington, London
So what. 6000 people died in Africa yesterday due to poverty, starvation and illness, and 6000 the day before that, and 6000 will die today, and another 6000 tomorrow. And to sense that we are given this existence by an ultimate being - Is this God's, Allah's or Buddha's fault etc. When I meet my maker (whoever he/she is), my first and ultimate question will be, "What is going on ?".
- Jmc, Glasgow
Why is this government always trying to given exceptions to the Muslim community when they haven't asked for them. The law is the law and all are punishable by it. The fact that no muslim has asked for special treatment regarding the programme show the government is getting ahead of itself, no wonder hate crimes are on the up in this country.
Please let get some common sense in Whitehall get labour out.
- Cassandra, UK
'Sharia dictates cutting off the offending organ.' - Great! let's make this part of the 'treatment programme'...sounds effective!
- Mt, London
So they haven't discussed their offence before? Not with police? Not in court? Not in parole hearings? I smell a rat. It is a shame Islamic law doesn't protect those affected by the criminals as much as it protects its own. Let them rot in prison if they don't want to take part.
- Ag, The Village of London
Another day, another load of so-called Muslim garbage. They change the rules of their religion every day to get their own way. I feel sorry for the true, law abiding, peaceful Muslims out there. These idiots are creating unrest and segregation for one and all. And what they are creating, is irreversible.
- Jc, London
When I first saw the title of this story I thought it was a joke! Yet another example of religion being used to defy common sense and logic. Criminality deserves to be treated as such, regardless of the perpetrators "faith"...let's hope the PC brigade don't win this one.
- M. Rahmanovic, Lancs. UK
Well it is against there human rights isn't it? Thanks to all those legal people who have made a lot of money even getting these silly ideas up and running. And thank you Labour government for not stopping these silly people in the first place. MCB what is your comments on this?
- Stewart, Billingham, Cleveland
Tough! Not interested in their so called religious excuses, I am sure in there religion rape and sexual offences are against there god but that didn't stop them committing the crime, they must do what all other inmates have to do, no special cases. Adam has it spot on, in actual fact we don't punish nearly hard enough for these crimes!
- Brian, Wiltshire
When will the government realise our laudable, laughable bend over backwards policies that pander to the utter drivel that pseudo extremists dream up will not compensate for Irag and Afghanistan?
- Rob, London, England
Surely foreign sex offenders should be deported and made to serve their sentences back where they belong.
- Ian, Littlehampton
As a Muslim myself I'm pretty sure that paedophilia and rape are also against the Muslim faith but that doesn't seem to have bothered them while committing their crimes - have they just found Islam while in jail?
- Hat, London
So Islam forbids them to talk about their crimes, doesn't it also forbid the committing of crimes?
Or is this just another case of adhering to religious values when it suits?
- P I Staker, London
Yeah, right religion yet again used as the way to evade the law. It defies belief.
- Barbara, Sydney
Sharia dictates cutting off the offending organ.
- Fundum, Camboge
It may be against their religion to discuss there crime, is also against their religion to have committed the crime in the first place? Perhaps we should let Muslims just do whatever they bloody well like!
- Terry S Senton, Hounslow middx
What country am I living in? Saudi Arabia?
- Apj, London
The prison service says: "'We are currently seeking to ensure that the policy for the Sex Offender Treatment Programme is sensitive to the diversity of religions within the prison context."
Well, I'll tell you what the public "are currently seeking" my friend: a Treatment Programme that works. And if it's "insensitive"? You seem to assume we give a damn...
- Shaun, SE France
So the ones who killed 3000 should have been let off had they lived? Give me a break.Obey the laws or get out.
- Marie Harrison, Cheltenham Glos UK
If you break the speed limit you have a choice between a "speed awareness course" or a stiffer penalty. By similar argument, anyone refusing to attend a course in prison should be offered the alternative of a considerably longer sentence. Their choice!
- Nigel, London
Isn't the perpetration of sex offences against their faith?
- Ben P, London, UK
There's the adage if you can't do the time then don't do the crime. If it is un-Islamic to discuss your crimes and engage in treatment programs then surely it must be un-Islamic to engage in sex offences.
In an Islamic country, under sharia law, most sex related crimes result in execution, stoning or thrashing. Perhaps those Muslim prisoners who feel they can't engage with treatment programs can select the sharia alternative.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
Maybe its time that the Muslim faith adhered to the law of the land, or sling their hook if they don't like it?
With attitudes and get outs like this, it is hardly a surprise that some ethnic marriages are riddled with domestic violence against the woman.
- Colin Hill, Broughton Astley, Leicester
So, they are going to say it's against their religion to participate in the program, then they are going to sue saying they were discriminated against because of their religion since they didn't get parole because they cant be assessed for the propensity of re-offending.
Sheesh!
- Stephanie Anderson, Raleigh, NC USA
I am slightly confused by this article - I have read it several times and still can't see that any Muslims have actually opted out of the treatment programme. As such isn't this a bit of a non story?
- Raoul, London, UK
What a convenient religion they have. It seems to allow them to wriggle out of pretty much everything. Personally I think if you live in this country you have to comply with our laws regardless of race, colour or creed. Once you start making exceptions for people that's when the trouble starts.
- Lb, London
I'm assuming the crime is permitted by their religion then? Otherwise, considering how closely they follow the rules of Islam, they would not have committed the trespass. Hence, following the strict interpretation of Islam by these criminals, sex crimes permitted, treatment not permitted. Or, silly me, are they trying to have their cake and eat it too?
- Andrew, San Jose, USA
If a British person abroad committed a crime and the punishment was hanging or similar then it would make no difference. If you choose to live in (any) country, you abide by state laws.
- Cat, London
Absolutely unbelievable, but, sadly not entirely surprising in this day and age.
- Shirley, Bromley
Where is the problem?? A facility exists whereby convicted persons may obtain early release if they participate in a programme. If anyone declines to participate, they complete the prescribed term of porridge. Simple enough...
- Roy G, Solihull, England
Where is the problem? A facility exists whereby convicted persons can partake in a programme and possibly obtain early release. If anyone opts not to indulge in the programme they complete the term of porridge in full!
- Roy G, Solihull, England
Muslims just so don't want to fit in do they? Pity they weren't serving their sentences in a country with Sharia Law - they'd probably all be swinging from a crane by now.
- Squiz, Islington
If any offenders refuse such treatment, they should be kept in prison indefinitely, as their condition, untreated, makes them a danger to society.
- Ian, Kent, UK
Fine, if they won't accept treatment then lock them up for life.
- Casper Slides, France
An excuse for everything, it seems. No so much a spreading of their religion by the sword as by the temptation offered by all of the get out of jail free cards they keep coming up with.
When are the average adherents to Islam going to say that enough is enough of this shaming of their religion?
- Rogan, DFW Texas
Let's hope this craven bunch of do-gooders don't give in on this one. Protect women not religious bigots.
- Sue R, London
No surprise there then.
- Neil Grinsell, london
Why not just let them opt out of everything? That seems to be the current angle. It's an embarrassment.
- Simon M, London, UK
