Muslim Women Inmates and Religious Practices: What Are Possible Solutions?

Area of Science:

• Criminology and Social Sciences
• Public Health and Healthcare Policy
• Sociology and Cultural Studies

Background:

• Legal frameworks recognize the need to protect female prisoners' rights, yet gender-specific needs, especially for foreign women, are often overlooked.
• Muslim women in detention face unique challenges related to cultural and religious practices that are frequently unmet within prison systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and explore the existing academic literature on the experiences of Muslim women within detention settings.
• To identify key challenges and research gaps concerning the well-being of Muslim female prisoners.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted using Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases.
• The review covered publications from 2010 to 2024, focusing on peer-reviewed studies examining the condition of Muslim women in prison.
• A final analysis included four studies that met the specified inclusion criteria.

Main Results:

• A significant scarcity of research exists regarding Muslim women in prison, both nationally and internationally.
• Key issues identified include restricted access to essential services, limitations in religious practice, and prevalent language and cultural barriers.
• These challenges contribute to heightened and often underestimated psychological vulnerability among incarcerated Muslim women.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for dedicated research and culturally competent training for prison staff to effectively support Muslim women in detention.
• Increased academic and institutional focus is crucial for developing inclusive policies that address the intersectionality of gender, religion, and migration.
• Special attention is required for the post-release reintegration process of this vulnerable population.