LONDON – Some inmates in UK prisons are converting to Islam for the “perks.” That’s one of the conclusions of a new study of jails here by Britain’s Chief Inspector of Prisons Dame Anne Owers.

Those “perks” include food that is viewed as better, as well as more time outside of the cell and exclusion from work and education for Friday prayers.

The Muslim population in British jails has gone from 5% in 1994 to 12% today.

Another appeal of conversion to Islam is seen as the protection of being a member of a Muslim “gang.”

At the same time, some of those conversions, according to the findings of the study, can be the result of intimidation by those same gangs.

Prison guard official Tom Robson is quoted as saying the trend is “worrying,” as the growing numbers look for status through the gangs.