How many muslim converts in the American prisons commit crimes again once they are free?

Answer 1

Greetings. I would say in the area of 40 to 50 %. Judging from my personal experiences as an Imam in several prison and knowing some of the root causes for this recitivism. Converting to Islam in American prisons is theresult of several factors such as an individual will convert for protection against tougher inmates, as well as fulfillling an inner need to belong to a solid group in a chaotic situation and the desire to avoid the lawlessness and immorality of the mainstream inmates. Many African American inmates convert under the illusion that in so doing they are casting off the mental chains of slavery and reuniting with their historical roots in Africa which they tend to believe has a glorious Islamic past. Conversions rarely entail a detailed study of the Quran, the Ahadith and other charactor building literature. But on the contrary, pamphlets and other periodicals dealing the rituals and sectarianism is widely read. It is common to see these individuals championing sectarian slogans then the actual words dealing with ehtics and morality as taught the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. That in itself is a sign that the individual has not digested the moral and social messeages of Islam. With out this important aspect of the faith the individual does not grow morally but fortifies his current anti social behaviour with a belief that being a productive citizen is anti Islamic. Upon release they fail to obtain meaningful employment and attempt to support themselves with incense and musk oils and eventually a return to criminal acts is almost inevitable for some individuals. Hense converting to Islam without converting the mind to its morality and embracing Islam without embracing its ethics is a recipe for recitivism.

Answer 2

Where I live there are plenty. I have quite a few Muslim friends and we have discussed this. Some of the converts use Islam to gain protection while incarcerated, while others come out claiming to be practicing Muslims but they commit crimes and give devout, law abiding Muslims a bad name. I do however know a few who have changed their lives around.