LONDON - Muslim prisoners in England and Wales are being disproportionately targeted with the use of pepper spray according to campaigners, with statistics showing the number of incidents has risen sharply in recent years, writes Eric Allison in the Guardian.
The Ministry of Justice data, obtained from a freedom of information request submitted by the advocacy organisation Maslaha, shows that in 2022, 34% of those targeted with Pava, a synthetic form of pepper spray, were Muslim, despite only making up 18% of the prison population. Pava was drawn and used against Muslim prisoners 188 times in 2022 and was drawn but not used by prison officers 54 times.
Christians, who make up 46% of the population, were targeted with Pava spray 43% of the time in 2022. The data also shows a sharp increase in Pava being used against Muslims in prison in recent years, with the figure almost doubling within three years. In 2019, Muslims made up 18% of those targeted with Pava.
Pava causes injury to the eyes, respiratory tract and skin. While in many cases these symptoms are short-lived, the chemical irritants in Pava can cause severe injury, permanent disabilities and, in rare cases, death. Pava was introduced into prisons in England and Wales in 2018, and by July 2023 had been rolled out into 89 prisons.
Related: Pepper spray could be used at young offender institutions in England and Wales
A study carried out by Maslaha found that Muslims in prison felt they had to hide parts of their religious identity due to fears of being seen as “extremist” and that simple acts of worship such as prayer or reading the Qur’an were viewed by prison officers as signs of extremism.
Raheel Mohammed, the director of Maslaha, said: “The figures we’ve uncovered show that Muslims in prison are being unfairly targeted by the use of Pava spray, a harmful weapon which can cause severe injury, disability and even death. Not only are Muslims more likely to be targeted, but this disproportionality is rising.
“Whatever we believe in, however we practise our religion, we all have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. But our work with Muslims in prison makes it clear that harmful stereotypes about Muslims are rife in prisons, and are putting Muslim prisoners at risk of unfair and harmful treatment.
“These figures should provide a wake-up call to those responsible for the rollout of Pava, who are also responsible for enforcing equalities legislation. This is a dangerous tool, and it is being used to target Muslims. Its use should be halted immediately.”
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Pava is only used as a last resort by specially trained prison officers and we monitor its use carefully including for any disparities in the way it’s deployed.”
