Policy Area 5: Crime, Policing, and the Criminal Justice System
Introduction
Over the past decade, the number of Muslims in prison increased by over 48%, with Muslims now constituting 15% of the total prison population, despite amounting to less than 5% of the general population.[1] MEND urges policymakers to commit to investigating structural Islamophobia within the Criminal Justice System. Any examination of the overrepresentation of Muslims within the Criminal Justice System must take into account cultural stereotypes, socio-economic challenges, and a lack of diversity within the Criminal Justice System itself.
Policy Pledge:
- Commit to investigating structural Islamophobia within the Criminal Justice System.
[1] “The Lammy Review: final report”, Gov.uk, September 8, 2017, p. 3, accessed 23.10.2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lammy-review-final-report