Over the past year a spate of headlines has warned of the threat of Islamist extremism infecting the prison system, with claims by senior politicians that high security jails have become terrorist training camps. However, new research has found no evidence to support this, and warns that a preoccupation with radicalisation is warping perceptions of prisoners’ behaviour and relationships. Similarly, ex-offenders contend that institutional Islamophobia results in prison officers perceiving Muslim prisoners who adhere to their faith as inherently suspicious.
In the News
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July 6th, 2016
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July 6th, 2016
Two in five premature babies are not receiving potentially lifesaving care, scientists warn.
Less than 60 per cent of premature babies studied across 11 European countries received a package of four simple care measures known to improve survival, researchers found.
But there would be nearly a fifth fewer deaths if 90 per cent of all babies born before 32 weeks were given the full care package, the study published in the BMJ suggested.
Premature babies face higher risks of death and serious illness compared with babies born at full term.
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July 5th, 2016
British couple Sarah and Matthew Pendleton had been married for almost 13 years when Matthew was arrested for voyeurism and downloading indecent pictures of children. After her husband’s criminal charges, Sarah—an Anglican Christian—was forced to choose between her marriage and her career in education.
Despite her record as an experienced, well-respected teacher of 10- and 11-year-olds in Derbyshire, England, Sarah’s school made it clear that if she chose to stick with Matthew, they would assume that she condoned his behavior, and she would be out of a job.
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July 5th, 2016
The most senior court in the UK is hearing the case of a transgender Christian who transitioned from male to female and claims she is entitled to the female state pension.
MB, who cannot be named, is currently not entitled to the pension because she refused to have her marriage annulled following her gender reassignment, insisting her decision to wed was a commitment made "in the sight of God".
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July 5th, 2016
The All-Ireland Rally for Life has heard that abortion proposals would meet with sustained and tireless pro-life opposition, and that the push for abortion in both Northern Ireland and the Republic would ultimately fail.
"This is the human rights issue of our time, and we will fight for life, and we will win", Precious Life leader, Bernadette Smyth told the thousands who gathered in Custom House Square [in Belfast, Northern Ireland]. "We will defeat abortion for mother and babies, north and south, across all divides, and we will demand a better answer than abortion, because killing a helpless child cannot be where the answer lies."
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July 5th, 2016
Big rises in diagnoses of syphilis and gonorrhoea in England along with continuing high levels of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have alarmed sexual health campaigners.
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July 5th, 2016
A Muslim husband is trying to win custody of his nine-year-old daughter because he dislikes his estranged wife's new partner and disapproves of her return to a 'debauched' Christian lifestyle.
The political analyst, who has not been named, told a judge at the High Court in London that he objects to his estranged wife's 'un-Islamic' lifestyle, which she returned to following their split.
The man is embroiled in a bitter family court dispute over the care and custody of their nine-year-old daughter, who has lived with her mother since the breakdown of their relationship.
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July 5th, 2016
A 29-year-old unemployed man who wanted to care for his baby son has lost a family court fight after social workers complained about him meeting women online for sex.
Social services staff at Salford City Council had asked a judge to make decisions about the boy's future following serious concerns, one of which was his father's sexual behaviour.
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July 4th, 2016
This is the moment a Muslim taxi driver refused to transport a disabled man with his guide dog after claiming it is 'against his religion'.
Footage shows Charles Bloch, with his guide dog Carlo and girlfriend Jessica Graham, trying to get in the taxi before being told by the driver that he will 'not take the dog' because of his religion.
Mr Bloch, who is registered blind after being born visually impaired, had booked the cab using firm ADT Taxis in Leicester but was shocked to be told the driver would not take him upon collection.
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July 4th, 2016
St Augustine rest home was fined €6,000 after it stopped doctors from giving a lethal injection to a 74-year-old woman
Judges in Belgium have fined a Catholic nursing home for refusing to allow the euthanasia of a lung cancer sufferer on its premises.
The St Augustine rest home in Diest was ordered to pay a total of €6,000 after it stopped doctors from giving a lethal injection to Mariette Buntjens.