Mr. Todd hastens to toe the politically correct line: “They are not devout Muslims. They are using the religion as cover. They are using religious views to promote violence. It is gangs hiding behind religion.” Of course. This is obviously true. After all, who ever heard of devout Muslims promoting violence? And of course the prisoners almost certainly knew that he thought this way, which is probably why they figured that the prison mosque would be the best place to hide the knives. Who would ever dream of associating weapons with the Religion of Peace?
“Haul of makeshift knives discovered under prayer mats in mosque at HMP Swaleside on Isle of Sheppey after mass brawl,” by Lewis Dyson for Kent Online, December 4 (thanks to Twostellas):
Police are investigating after a haul of home-made knives was discovered at a Sheppey prison mosque following a gang fight.
Three inmates suffered injuries from the makeshift weapons during a mass brawl that broke out in the gym at HMP Swaleside.
Searches later revealed several improvised knives found hidden under prayer mats in the prison mosque.
The category B jail, which can hold more than 1,100 prisoners, is said to have the largest Muslim population of any prison in the country.
Dave Todd, Prison Officers Association chairman for Swaleside, said there were about 15 of the weapons discovered “dotted around” the religious site.
He said the knives are often made by melting razor blades into plastic tooth brushes or by filing down bits of metal.
Mr Todd said: “It is all to do with the gang culture and gangs wanting to carry on issues from outside the walls.
“Whatever happens outside is then reflected inside the walls.
“There was a fight between the two gangs the previous week in the gymnasium and it was payback for that.
He added: “They are not devout Muslims. They are using the religion as cover.
“They are using religious views to promote violence. It is gangs hiding behind religion.“…