This is happening in American prisons also. From The Daily Telegraph, with thanks to Kevin:
AS many as six of the State’s most dangerous prisoners have become supporters of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden after converting to radical Islam while in jail.
Intelligence obtained by the Corrective Services Department reveals some of the inmates to be supportive of bin Laden and terrorism.
Authorities are concerned by the potential for a terrorist cell to be formed inside NSW prisons….
The jailed bin Laden followers – who are of Aboriginal and Caucasian backgrounds, as well as Middle Eastern – are under close scrutiny and prison security measures have been tightened.
That means that some are converts.
A recent planned attack on Spain’s National Court was plotted behind bars.
Seventeen people have been charged with terrorist offences for plotting to bomb the court with 1000kg of explosives earlier this month.
The attack was planned by inmates within a terrorist cell formed in prison.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that one of the converts to Islam is serving a life sentence in Goulburn’s maximum-security Supermax prison for a shooting murder.
Prison authorities say he is open about his new faith.
Corrective Services Commissioner Ron Woodham said the inmate was of concern, given his background and extreme views.
But Mr Woodham said he was not among those prisoners who were openly supportive of bin Laden and terrorism activity.
“The other inmates who are supportive are in for murder, serious assault – they are extremely dangerous in their own right.
“Prisoners convert to faith all the time, but our intelligence has revealed that up to six have taken on very extreme views that are of great concern to authorities – particularly with recent events overseas, where the prison system has been used as a recruiting ground by terrorist organisations.
“We’re watching every move they make, and we are working with law-enforcement agencies in other states to ensure that they are closely monitored.”