Yes, you read it right. Hat tip to Strappado.
Muslim sex offenders may be allowed to opt out of a prison treatment programme because it is against their religion, it has emerged.
The Prison Service's Muslim advisor has said there is a "legitimate Islamic position" that criminals should not discuss their crimes with others.
Under the Sex Offender Treatment Programme (SOTP), which treats more than 600 prisoners including rapists and sexual killers each year, offenders must discuss their crime, sometimes in groups.
Ahtsham Ali said he would now urgently raise the issue with prison policy makers, raising the prospect of an exemption or special rules for Muslim prisoners.
However, union leaders warned that as treatment is used to assess whether prisoners are suitable for early release, Muslims who have to serve longer terms because they did not take part could sue the Prison Service.
(...)
A spokeswoman for the Prison Service said the programme was suitable for all sex offenders.
She said: "Membership of a particular religion is not a bar to participation in accredited programmes."
Perhaps Ahtsham Ali is worried the name Aisha may come up too often.
