In the previous chapter, we evidenced the pivotal role of chaplaincy in many of the positive rehabilitative changes in the lives of Muslim prisoners, such as the discovery of meaning and purpose in life, and that the absence of effective chaplaincy can contribute to a reduction of faith, to extremism and to nihilistic despair. We have also seen in Chapter 3 how the factor Engagement in Chaplaincy was a significant predictor of strong Attitude to Rehabilitation.

In this chapter, we describe in detail how chaplaincy and institutional aspects of Islam in prison make a difference to Muslim prisoners’ lives. We do this in order to provide some guiding principles for best chaplaincy practice in supporting the rehabilitation of Muslim prisoners.

History of prison chaplaincy

Historically, the role of religion, and especially Protestant Christianity, was central to the development of the modern prison (Ignatieff,1989). In the 18th and 19th centuries, non-conformist Protestants such as the Quakers believed that religious values should penetrate the heart of social and political life. This belief led them to be active in social and economic reforms.

One particular concern was the reform of the punishment of criminals: through reflection and hard work, reformers sought alignment between the punishment of criminals and the religious values of forgiveness and personal reform. This prison reform movement resulted in a gradual shift from corporal forms of punishment to the establishment of prison regimes that would lead to the moral reform of offenders. Thus, the locus of punishment shifted from punishment of the body, to control and reform of the mind (Foucault, 1979).

In consequence, prisons were built upon ideas of collective control and with a focus on moral education; regimes were established on discipline, hard work and an austere lifestyle (Ignatieff, 1989). In order to oversee this process of religious and moral prisoner transformation, since the 19th century prison chaplaincy has, to varying degrees and in different ways, formed an integral part of European prison regimes.

Statutory Duties, professional roles and experience

In England and Wales, the role of Anglican Christian prison chaplains is legally prescribed and is integrated into prison management. Over the last two decades, prison chaplaincy in England has also experienced significant diversification and a shift to a pluralistic multi-faith approach (Tipton and Todd, 2011).