Film reveals Muslim women's experiences in prison

Muslim Women In Prison founder Dr Sofia Buncy, pictured with 'Neena', hopes the film will lead to change within the criminal justice system

A new film aims to give an insight into the experiences of Muslim women behind bars.

The documentary, called Inside Out, has been made by a team including Dr Sofia Buncy, founder of the Bradford-based Muslim Women In Prison project (MWIP).

It is hoped the 20-minute feature will be used to assist workers across the criminal justice system (CJS), including those responsible for rehabilitating offenders.

"We hope providers will listen and be proactive in developing more culturally appropriate and equitable models of support," Dr Buncy said.

The film, made in collaboration with researchers Dr Alexandria Bradley of Leeds Beckett University and Dr Sarah Goodwin of Sheffield Hallam University, was created alongside a research project on the topic.

Dr Buncy, who founded MWIP in 2013 as part of Bradford's Khidmat Centres, said: “It was important for us to encourage women with lived experiences of the CJS to speak directly about their journeys.

"For many it took a tremendous amount of courage to face a camera."

She added: "They spoke about their experiences with passion, delving into their emotions and frustration with unreserved candidness."

Dr Buncy worked with two university academics on the film

Neena, not her real name, from West Yorkshire, spent more than two years in jail and is featured in the film.

"I learnt a lot quicker through inmates than I did through staff," she said.

The mother, who now has a part-time job after serving her sentence, said she struggled to adapt and felt some staff avoided her due to her religious beliefs.

"I think that's why it's important to educate the staff about our background, our race, culture, my religion," she said.

"It's very important to make them understand and educate them rather than hearing it from your cellmate or the girl in the next room."

Dania, also not her real name, said: “There is no real culture of understanding Muslim women’s background and needs when they enter the CJS.

"Part of the problem is not knowing how the system works and then nobody telling you how it works either - it's a very lonely journey.”

'Prevent future reoffending'

Statistics from the Prison Reform Trust for 2019 showed there were 226 Muslim women in UK prisons, representing 6% of the overall female prison population.

Dr Goodwin, a senior lecturer in law and criminology, said: “It’s really rare to hear from Muslim women in the CJS about their experiences.

"Conducting this research has allowed us to understand more of their stories and see how they are different from, and similar to, others on that journey."

She added: "The more we understand, the better we can support their reintegration into the community and prevent future offending.”

Inside Out is set to be premiered on Thursday at a private screening in Leeds.

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