HM Prison Service
Operational Guide
Rules for Search Teams, Wing Officers, and Governors.
Handling Sacred Items, Jummah Movements, and Ramadan Lock-ups.
The Operational Reality
In some UK prisons, Muslim men make up 20-30% of the population. Understanding their routine is not "being PC"—it is essential for Good Order and Discipline. Ignorance leads to riots. Respect leads to rapport.
1. Cell Searching & Sacred Items
When turning over a cell (Routine or Intelligence Led), you will encounter religious items. Mistreating them is the fastest way to start a wing disturbance.
The Qur'an (Holy Book)
Rule #1: Never place the Qur'an on the floor/bed/seat.
Rule #2: Do not cover it with other items
(e.g. dirty clothes).
- Protocol: Ask the prisoner to show you the book (shake it out) themselves if possible.
- If you must handle it: Put on fresh gloves (or take gloves off). Place it on the highest shelf or table. Show visible respect.
- Dogs: If using drug dogs, do NOT let the dog touch or sniff the Qur'an directly. This causes massive offense.
Full Searches (Strip Searches)
- Modesty: Islam forbids nudity. A strip search is highly humiliating.
- The BOSS Chair: Use the Body Orifice Security Scanner (BOSS) chair where possible to avoid full strip searches. It detects metal/phones internally without nudity.
2. Piety vs Security Risk
A common mistake is confusing "Becoming Religious" with "Becoming Dangerous".
- Piety: Prisoner starts praying 5 times a day, reading Quran, growing a beard, stops smoking/drugs. Verdict: Good. This promotes rehabilitation and discipline. Support it.
- Concerns: Prisoner isolates themselves, calls staff "non-believers", polices other Muslim prisoners ("You aren't a real Muslim"), distributes unauthorised literature. Verdict: Action Required. Submit an Intelligence Report (IR) immediately.
The "Muslim Gang" Issue
Some gangs use Islam as a "Flag of Convenience" for protection. They bully others into converting or paying "Tax". This is criminal gang behaviour, not faith. Tackle it as a gang issue, not a religious freedom issue.
3. Food & Ramadan Logistics
The "Halal" Trust Issue
Prisoners are paranoid that their food is being contaminated.
- Servery: Ensure serving spoons for the Halal option are NOT dipped into the Pork/Bacon tray. This is a common flashpoint for assaults on servery workers.
- Ramadan Packs: In HMP, prisoners are often locked
up at 17:00, but sunset (Maghrib) is at 21:00. They cannot access
the servery.
You must issue "Breakfast Packs" (dates, milk, bread) to their cell before lock-up. If you forget, you are starving them until the next morning unlocked.
4. Friday Prayers (Jummah) Movement
The biggest movement of the week. Moving 100-300 prisoners to the Multi-Faith Room.
- Timing: It usually runs 13:00 - 14:00. This clashes with free-flow assoc.
- Search Strategy: If you are rubbing down everyone entering the Mosque, have a clear, efficient line. Do not make them miss the sermon (Khutbah). Tension rises instantly if they are delayed.
- Congregation Risk: Because it's a large gathering, gangs may use it to pass comms/drugs. Manager Role: Maintain high visibility but respectful distance. Do not walk *through* the rows of praying men unless responding to an alarm. Walk around the edges.
4. The Muslim Chaplain (Imam)
Your biggest ally. The Imam de-escalates tension, challenges radical views, and provides welfare.
- Intelligence: Chaplains are not informants (confidentiality). But they will report security risks or threats to good order. Trust their judgement.
- Bereavement: If a prisoner has a death in the family, get the Imam involved immediately. They can facilitate the prayer and grief process.