Prison as a Site of Intense Religious Change: The Example of Conversion to Islam

Based on the findings of mixed-methods research conducted with 279 Muslim prisoners in 10 prisons England, Switzerland and France, this paper argues that contemporary European are sites intense religious change, which many people born outside Islam born-Muslims believe practise for first time. In order to map experience change prison, articulates an original typology conversion identify converts as Switchers Intensifiers. Both these types convert mobilise their turn God acts repentance crime(s), find a renewed purpose life re-gain psychological balance inner peace. By contrast, minority Reducers, whose Islamic faith diminishes prison. A also persist or become more deeply entrenched Islamist Worldview Us vs. Them. Therefore, while choosing follow prison carries it some criminogenic risk, is significantly likely help than hinder prisoners’ rehabilitation by enabling them feel remorse crimes, reconnecting work education encouraging emotionally supportive company.