Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will launch an investigation into forced conversion to Islam in prisons.

The Government does not tolerate intimidation, gang activity or faith-based coercion of any kind in prisons. Prisoners are free to practise, change or decline a religion or belief and any concerns that a prisoner may be changing their faith or belief under duress or coercion are reported and addressed through established prison security, intelligence and safeguarding procedures.

Any allegations of forced conversion, regardless of the faith or belief concerned, are taken seriously and prisons act swiftly to clamp down on threatening behaviour by any groups or individuals. Anyone who breaks the prison rules – including through extremist threats or violence – will be sanctioned and faces the prospect of more prison time.

There are no plans to launch an investigation into forced conversion in prisons.