Archive · 25 Aug 2026
UK MP Seeks Probe Into Alleged Forced Prison Conversions
A British lawmaker says some white prisoners may be pressured to become Muslim in prison.
He wants the government to investigate these claims.
He cited figures that allegedly come from the Ministry of Justice.
Those figures reportedly say that one in five Muslim prisoners is white.
He also said Muslims make up 18% of prisoners, compared with 6.5% of the wider population.
Earlier reviews described cases in which powerful prisoners allegedly used threats or gangs to pressure others.
The government said prison staff act quickly against threats and coercion.
A prisons inspector’s recent report was also described as showing serious conditions, but the article gives no further details.
Conservative MP Nick Timothy alleged that white prisoners are being pressured or forced to convert to Islam in UK prisons.
Timothy cited allegedly published Ministry of Justice data saying white prisoners make up one in five Muslim inmates.
The number of white Muslims in UK prisons reportedly rose 16% between 2022 and 2025.
Timothy said Muslims account for 18% of the prison population, compared with 6.5% of the general population.
The UK government said it does not tolerate intimidation, gang activity or faith-based coercion in prisons.
- Who
- Conservative MP and Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy made the allegations; the UK government responded.
- What
- A request for a government probe into alleged gang-linked and faith-based coercion of prisoners to convert to Islam.
- When
- The claims refer to figures from 2022 to 2025; the government response and prisons inspector’s report were described as recent.
- Where
- Prisons in the United Kingdom.
- Why
- Timothy said an investigation was needed to address alleged forced conversions, intimidation and Muslim gang activity in prisons.
MP and Earlier Review Claims
UK Government Response
Alleged forced conversions
MP and Earlier Review Claims
Nick Timothy alleged that white prisoners are being forced or pressured to convert to Islam. Earlier reviews cited by the article described threats and coercion by powerful or violent prisoners.
UK Government Response
The government said faith-based coercion is not tolerated and that prison staff act swiftly against threatening behaviour by groups or individuals.
Prison gang activity
MP and Earlier Review Claims
Colin Bloom’s report allegedly found that new prisoners who did not identify as Muslim could be denied protection from a dominant Muslim gang.
UK Government Response
The government said intimidation and gang activity of any kind are prohibited in Britain’s prisons.
Need for investigation
MP and Earlier Review Claims
Timothy called on the government to launch a probe and stamp out alleged forced religious conversions.
UK Government Response
The government emphasized existing action against threats and coercion but did not, in the article, announce a specific investigation.
- Main allegation
- Nick Timothy alleged that white prisoners are being forced or pressured to convert to Islam.
- White Muslim prisoners
- Allegedly one in five Muslim prisoners is white, compared with 5.8% of the general population.
- Reported increase
- The number of white Muslims in UK prisons reportedly increased by 16% from 2022 to 2025.
- Muslim prison population
- Timothy said Muslims account for 18% of the UK prison population.
- General population comparison
- Muslims reportedly make up 6.5% of the UK general population.
- Government position
- The government said it has no tolerance for intimidation, gang activity or faith-based coercion in prisons.
- Earlier reviews
- Reviews by Jonathan Hall and Colin Bloom described alleged threats, self-styled prison emirs and protection linked to Muslim gangs.