An increasing number of dangerous convicts are converting to Islam in jail to get protection from Muslim gangs.
Former Bandidos bikie Lionel Patea – serving time for bludgeoning partner Tara Brown to death with a fire extinguisher – reportedly became a Muslim in March.
Experts say Queensland jails are seeing more inmates embrace the Islamic faith, following a trend seen in New South Wales prisons where conversion is common.
Former Bandidos bikie Lionel Patea (pictured, left) – serving time for bludgeoning partner Tara Brown (pictured, right) to death with a fire extinguisher – became a Muslim in March
Experts say Queensland jails are seeing more inmates embrace the Islamic faith, following a trend seen in New South Wales prisons where conversion is common (pictured is Muslim convert Lionel Patea)
An increasing number of dangerous convicts are converting to Islam in jail to get protection from Muslim gangs (pictured is Goulburn Supermax)
‘In jails where these groups are dominant, boys who come in often convert,’ a police source told The Gold Coast Bulletin.
‘Not only is it about blending in but when s*** goes down in there you’ve got to be one of the brothers otherwise you’re out on your own.’
Patea reportedly converted on the day he was sentenced for his partner’s murder, saying he was looking for redemption and rehabilitation.
Gold Coast lawyer Campbell MacCallum said some convicts convert to get protection from Muslim factions in jail, but end up finding solace in Islam.
Patea reportedly converted on the day he was sentenced for his partner’s murder, saying he was looking for redemption and rehabilitation (pictured is murder victim Tara Brown)
Goulburn Supermax’s (pictured) High Risk Management Corrections Centre houses so many inmates on terror offences it is known as the Jihadi Jail
Other lawyers said Aboriginals and inmates with ethnic backgrounds were among those most likely to convert so they will be safe inside.
Many abandon their newfound faith after getting out, the source said.
The news comes as Westpac closed the bank accounts of Brothers Behind Bars, an extremist group which raises funds to help Muslims in jail.
Patea, 25, chased his long-term partner and the mother of his child Tara Brown, 24, in his car before smashing the window and beating her to death in September 2015 (pictured are Patea and Brown)
Patea (pictured with Tara Brown) was sentenced to life in jail after pleading guilty to murder, and will be eligible for parole in 2037
The group has worked on the behalf of ISIS-linked extremist Sulayman Khalid and nightclub shooter Milad Al-Ahmadzai.
Goulburn Supermax’s High Risk Management Corrections Centre houses so many inmates on terror offences it is known as the Jihadi Jail.
Islamic inmates receive halal meals and there are prayer mats allocated for the men, which can be seen draped over cell doors.
Ex-cons are also making their mark on the Gold Coast’s Glitter Strip, starting a new Muslim street gang called 269 made up of men who proved themselves behind bars (pictured is murder victim Tara Brown)
Ex-cons are also making their mark on the Gold Coast’s Glitter Strip, starting a new Muslim street gang called 269 made up of men who proved themselves behind bars.
Patea, 25, chased his long-term partner and the mother of his child Tara Brown, 24, in his car before smashing the window and beating her to death in September 2015.
He was sentenced to life in jail after pleading guilty to murder, and will be eligible for parole in 2037.
Gold Coast lawyer Campbell MacCallum said some convicts convert to get protection from Muslim factions in jail, but end up finding solace in Islam (pictured is Islamic convert Lionel Patea)