Abstract

The presence of Muslim inmates is a relevant fact in Italian prisons. This research studies how Italian correctional institutes respond to the needs and requests of Muslims and how their cohabitation works out in such contexts. The few studies on Muslims in prison in Europe show a an emerging crisis of the secular paradigm. Religion has become de-privatized and religious movements challenge the legitimacy and authority of the secular powers. Consequently, prisons are an important field of study in which processes of re-islamization emerge. It needs to be added, however, that in the context of correctional institutes religion may represent an asset and that the authorities have the duty to keep it within the boundaries of legality and tolerance through the integration and the respect of religious rights.