As I've mentioned before, a significant aspect of Islam in America is the phenomenon of African-American converts in the prisons. It's estimated that there are up to 300,000 Muslims in the prison system, most of them African-American converts. This is about 5% of the total Muslim population in America.
The Baton Rouge Advocate has an interesting and informative article about Muslim inmates and how the prison system accommodates their observance of Ramadan.
At least 575 Muslim inmates in the state prison system are participating in Ramadan this year, according to figures provided by Melissa Callahan, a state Office of Corrections spokeswoman. Representatives from nine of the state's 11 adult, men's prisons responded to a request for information regarding their Muslim inmate populations. The largest Muslim population is found at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, which has 500 Muslim inmates, but only 150 are participating in Ramadan. Callahan said the prison officials indicated they plan to prepare early meals for inmates observing the fast, as well as allow inmates to break their fast together in the evenings during the month. The prisons also plan to allow Islamic inmates to celebrate the feast of Eid al Fitr at the end of Ramadan on Nov. 25, Callahan said. Hunt spokeswoman Angela Whittaker said the number of Muslim prisoners participating in Ramadan at Hunt has grown from 44 in 1999 to 74 in 2003. The prison first allowed Muslim inmates to organize a "Students of Islam" club in 1998, she said.