A BRADFORD-BASED charity worker has been recognised with a national award for a pioneering study involving Muslim women in the prison system.

Sofia Buncy, from Muslim Hands UK, is to be honoured by The Butler Trust for her ground-breaking work in providing responses to the needs and challenges facing female prisoners both in custody and after release.

The trust celebrates, develops and disseminates outstanding work and best practice in UK prisons, probation, and youth justice, and Miss Buncy’s project has now spread to a number of prisons across the country, having started in HMP New Hall near Wakefield.

Her report, ‘Muslim Women in Prison: Second Chance | Fresh Horizons’, is said to be the first research of its kind in this country.

Ishtiaq Ahmed, the president of Bradford’s Council of Mosques, was co-author of the report and nominated Miss Buncy for her award.

“The work had many inherent challenges that required sensitive handling,” he said.

“Prisons had to approach the idea with a natural caution and be convinced of the viability and benefits of the outcomes. Community opinions were very much divided on the need for such a project, partly because they could not see its relevance, and partly due to the embarrassment it may unearth for the image of the community.

“The bigger issue overshadowing this subject is the strong stigma and taboo which being a female offender brings in dishonoring the family and community name.”

One woman involved in the project said: “Sofia provided me with a new lease of life and something to look forward to,” adding their talks had make her feel it was “possible to start again.”

Miss Buncy said: “Foremost, Muslim women prisoners are not on the community’s radar. In fact, the community refuses to acknowledge that Muslim women could be capable of criminality in any shape or form whatsoever.

“Added to this, there is a strong sense of shame and dishonour which at best means women can be marginalised by their families and community and at worst can result in severe consequences. The project has raised the profile of Muslim women in prison and paved a way for an open and a wider debate.”

The success of the project has led to it being rolled out to a further two female estates – HMP Peterborough and HMP Holloway – and Miss Buncy said she was in discussions with HMP Leeds men’s prison about developing her work to include male prisoners.

HMP New Hall’s governor, Susan Howard, said: “The service has surpassed our expectations supporting both individual women and informing local and national policy.

“Sofia has led the project from the start and been absolutely inspirational in her work and achievements.”