VAIL, Ariz., Jan. 14, 2009 — There are approximately 2.3 million inmates in state and federal prisons and county jails in the United States. At the end of 2007, of American men between the ages of 17-25 years, for every 100,000 African American men, 3,138 were imprisoned; for every 100,000 Hispanic men, 1,259 were imprisoned; and for every 100,000 Caucasian men, 481 were imprisoned (source: US Dept of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics).
Sidney Rahim Sharif, Imam substantiates that something is wrong with this picture. Within the pages of “Inmates’ Survival Handbook: an Islamic Perspective” (published by AuthorHouse – http://www.authorhouse.com), Sharif addresses the disproportionate number of African Americans incarcerated in state and federal prisons. While his writings primarily highlight the African American prison population, Sharif addresses the needs of all inmates, regardless of race, color, nationality or creed, and offers suggestions to convert their imprisonment into a positive experience that will enable them to help themselves, their families and respective communities.
In his 1982 book, “Crime and Corrections: An Islamic Perspective,” Sharif expressed the same concern about the rapid growth of prison populations in America. In the foreword of the “Inmates’ Survival Handbook,” Sharif writes, “It appears that negative influences are stronger today and are producing criminals while encouraging antisocial behavior more than ever before … I am well aware of injustices of poverty and ignorance that African Americans suffer due to racism that are causal factors in the growing African American prison population, it is clear however, that racism is not the only variable causing these disproportionate numbers-the African American race has emotional and psychological social problems that strongly contribute to early adult incarceration.”
Sharif speaks of the variables contributing to these numbers and, through the Islamic perspective, demands that individuals respect themselves and others regardless of differences. He also questions why and what an inmate can do to reconcile their relationship with themselves, God, and the difference between right and wrong. After reconciling these differences and re-building their character on a morally strong foundation, he suggests that inmates can begin to govern themselves accordingly.
While the title “Inmates’ Survival Handbook” appeals to the incarcerated, the sound advice, information and proposals contained in the book will intrigue any reader interested in the criminal justice system, as well as educators and public policy makers. Colorfully captioned chapters such as “Prison Is Not a Fun Place To Be” and “It is Official: You are Now an Inmate,” are balanced with chapters detailing “The Company We Keep” and “Inmates Have the Right to Study Islam”.
About the Author: Sidney Rahim Sharif, Imam graduated from the University of Illinois at Circle Campus in Chicago with his bachelor’s degree in the administration of criminal justice. Sharif went on to serve as an officer of the Chicago Police Department for 28 years. It was during this time that he converted to Islam and in 1969, he became the first Chicago police officer to publicly accept the religion. In 1975, Sharif began his Islamic missionary work in the Cook County Jail and was soon teaching Islam in Illinois state prisons such as Menard, Statesville and the Dixon Correctional facility. He subsequently attended and graduated from the Chicago State University earning his master’s degree in corrections and the administration of criminal justice. In 1988, Sharif resigned from the police department and in 1989, he was appointed as Director of Security for Malcolm X College, where he worked for five years. In 1995, Sharif and his new wife, Esther, founded the South Shore Islamic Community Center in Chicago. This gave them an opportunity to work with at-risk youths in the neighborhood. South Shore Islamic Community Center soon became a show place promoting positive community activities and values among the attending youth. In 1999, Sharif moved his family to Tucson, Ariz., where a year later he began working for the Pima County juvenile court as a juvenile probation officer.
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