NCJ Number
165414
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 21 Issue: 12 Dated: (December 1996) Pages: 6-8
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article provides information on the rights, duties, and customs of Muslim inmates, together with suggestions for corrections and other criminal justice personnel on how to accommodate these religious rights, duties, and customs.
Abstract
Muslims are forbidden to eat ham or pork as meat, soup, or gravy, or to eat meat not slaughtered according to Islamic Law. Muslims are also forbidden to drink alcohol or eat food cooked in alcohol. They are required to pray five times each day and should have access to the Holy Koran. Every Muslim has to fast the month of Ramadan every year. Muslims must wash their limbs before every prayer and before handling the Holy Koran. Female Muslim prisoners must be completely dressed, except for face and hands, in front of other males or females. Male Muslim prisoners are not to be naked in front of either males or females. Muslims also have the right to be alone with their wife or husband in a private room. Therefore, a local Muslim leader should be consulted to find an appropriate source for meat, inmates should have alarm clocks or be notified of the approach of prayer time, and inmates should be allowed to purchase their own Koran or have one provided to them by others. Officials should contact Muslim organizations to learn the exact date of Ramadan each year and can allow Muslim inmates to have a late feeding time or have food in their housing area. Personnel should use professional clothed body searching techniques and avoid the need for clothing removal as much as possible. Reference notes