Guest writer Angela Nelson gives an overview of yesterday's press conference about prison conditions in Maghaberry
Below is a press release from the elected representatives at the Europa Hotel, and here is my tuppence worth also.
PRESS CONFERENCE, EUROPA HOTEL
16th JUNE 2014.
Today I attended the press conference which was called by elected representatives from the Republic of Ireland. It was attended by Senators and TDs who have formed an ad-hoc committee to deal with the Human Rights issues of prisoners in Maghaberry and ICU isolation units.
What struck me was the lack of media support from BBC or UTV or any other news media outlet. There was a reporter from the Irish News and a couple of others which I did not recognise and an independent reporter namely Fra Hughes.
There were two elected representatives from the 6 counties, and that was me and Gary Donnelly from Derry. The prisoners from Roe 3 and 4 had representatives there and the loyalist prisoners had Ken Wilkinson to speak for them.
The Department of Justice sent an observer from David Ford’s office to listen and report back.
Justice Watch Ireland also had representatives attending to ensure that the issues which they have raised with the elected representatives were covered.
As you can see from their press release the group visited prisoners this morning in ICU and they were appalled at the conditions these men are held under.
They could not believe the silence of political parties here in the north and the lack of media coverage in highlighting this abuse.
The fact that Gavin Coyle has been held in isolation since his arrest in 2011 and confined to his cell 23 hours a day and MI5 agents given access to him to try and turn him to become an agent and informer whilst under the prison regime, lends proof to the information that members of the prison come under the authority of NI Office reporting directly to Security and therefore not accountable to the prison service.
Éamon Ó Cuiv, TD said he compared it to the conditions in Belmarsh Prison which he has also visited in the past.
They informed us that they had met with Teresa Villiers, who was totally disinterested in the problem and that she was a hopeless case who did not inspire the group that she would address any of the issues which they raised.
They also met David Ford and have a further meeting with the Prison Ombudsman in the near future.
I introduced myself and thanked them for raising these Human Rights abuses and welcomed their interaction as we do not have any from our political parties here in the north and I asked them to raise it at the highest level of their government and to shout about it from the rooftops.
They have agreed that they will continue to fight for the prisoners and hope the issues they have raised can be addressed sooner rather than later.
Press Release
A number of TDs and Senators have set up an ad-hoc committee in the Oireachtas to enquire into and make representations in relation to justice issues in Northern Ireland as it relates to separated prisoners:
Earlier today we visited the prisoners in the CSU in HMP Magherberry.
The group have visited Republican and Loyalist Prisoners.
We are particularly concerned about prison conditions including strip searching, controlled movements, access to the internet for education, access to Irish classes and access to education in general.
We are concerned also in relation to the policy of revocation of licences for prisoners who have been out of prison for a long time and the process that is involved in contesting these revocations that precludes the person in question from full knowledge of the allegations against them.
The conditions of release in these cases are very onerous and unreasonable.
We are concerned at the prosecution of pre 1994 cases which seems to take place on a selective basis.
We are concerned at long remand periods that seems to be a form of detention without trial.
We believe there is a need for a "Patten" like reform of the prison service and are very concerned of the effects of the ongoing issues in the prisons on the peace process.
Éamon Ó Cuiv, TD
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD
Clare Daly, TD
Mick Wallace, TD
Thomas Pringle, TD
Frank Feighan, TD
Senator Mary White
Senator Jim Walsh
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It is good that these TD's are taking an interest. Fair play to them.
ReplyDeleteWhat are loyalists doing in jail? Is it the 'flegs' issue?
For some reason I can't view this article?
ReplyDeleteNot sure what it is Nuala. Anybody else unable?
ReplyDeleteComes on my lappy and my droid device thingy perfect.
ReplyDeleteNo, all pages show up on mine a bit slower than usual today.
ReplyDeleteNuala are you looking on your phone or computer?
Tain Bo,
ReplyDeleteIt was my ipad and it just kept flicking off.
It's great that prison issues have come to the fore and all concerned should be commended.
Nuala,
ReplyDeleteWhen mine acts up I just usually shut it down and give it a rest.
It is good to see the issue out there maybe if the shins are not too busy with their British duty, they might remember they supported the prisoners once and at least take up the issue of reform.
Tain,
ReplyDeletePSF wont support the prisoners. PSF think they are scummy pseudo terrorists and aren't republican enough.
They (PRM) just about accepted the INLA/IRSP as republicans during the conflict. Todays anti-GFA don't stand a hope in hell of getting support from PSF.
People like Gerry McGeough, Stephen Murney, Alec McCory etc mean zero to them (PRM/PSF)..JMO.
Tain Bo
ReplyDeleteAll rejuvenated!
Great to see the strip search issue come to the fore again.
All the talk about the Boss chair and all the other replacement technology and they are still at it.
Frankie,
ReplyDeleteOn this one I hate to say you are right from PSF too IMO. I wasn’t thinking of them backing the prisoners or even speaking out for republican prisoners.
I was thinking more along the lines if prison reform issues generate publicity the shins would probably jump on the bandwagon if it becomes a popular issue.
If it continues to draw little attention then of course SF won’t touch it but it might well become an issue that they can’t ignore.
After all acting progressive is not out of their realm and looks good on their CV when they meet their queen.
Even if it is phony compassion for her majesty’s prisoners, SF wouldn’t be behind the door if they think it will get them good media or more importantly potential voters.
It sounds like the prisons are running on H Block/Armagh no wash protest time and they need to catch up with the times, it is not just a republican problem so there is hardly any room for SF not to push for reform.
Nuala,
ReplyDeleteI think people are blasé when they hear the term “strip search” and unless you have had the discomfort of being subjected to one then they might change their mind about it.
To be honest Nuala, I think even if they had the equipment they would still find reason to continue with degrading prisoners using simple excuses like the scan isn’t working and of course someone slipped on a few screws boots just like the old system.
Glad your technology is behaving I swear at times I want to swing at my computer with a Hurley stick the only problem with that is I wouldn’t want to break the stick.
Frankie,
ReplyDeletejust an afterthought I am sure Adams would be all for reform after all, his slimy brother would benefit from it, just like they protected him on the outside.
Tain,
ReplyDeleteWhat i've a problem is getting my head around concerning strip searching and the like is simply this.. There are several highly placed members of PSF who have experienced being strip searched and must know how degrading it is never mind brutality metted out by prison screws and their silence is deafing. As everyone knows passing airport security today and 'everything' is there in 3D in it's full glory and they can't put two or three B.O.S.S. chairs in...
As for Liam Adams and anyone like him.. Bread and water for 30yrs and if they don't die in the cell, once their time is up, they are simply shot at dawn.. I've no time for child rapists. I wouldn't even bother trying to rehabilitate. Just like the BBC tv show.... it's pointless. It's costing well over 300K to keep him in prison, the fcuker is getting 3 sqiare meals a day!!!! Hot water, free tv etc...While there are familes who still can't feed or heat their homes on both sides of the oxymorons
Tain Bo,
ReplyDeleteIt never happened to me but it was the reason I ended up with a serious assault charge in Town Hall St.
I wonder does in ever dawn on the screws that they degrade themselves also?
It wasn't even a screw in my case it was a female cop!
But as I say thankfully it never happened.
Frankie,
ReplyDeletethey could resolve some of the issues with ease but they still choose to run things much like they did prior to the GFA.
It wouldn’t break the bank to implement change but that is up to the politicians to push for and ensure changes are made.
I agree with you they should nut them and be done it is the same old story being prod and poor is not the same as being taig and poor. Just the way the politicians like it to be, speaking of those wankers how much do you think they will bill the tax payers to fix a few dents in the Bogside defenders ministerial car.
On the good news front the Queen is coming for a dander round the Crum good time to exploit the crisis in jails?
I doubt people will wise up as tradition is more important than food and heat. Oh, I am still chewing the fat in my head about the French connection I will get to it.
Nuala,
ReplyDeleteyou made the right choice and back then chances are they would have found something to charge you with regardless.
I am not sure but would like to believe that most would prefer not to be involved in strip searching as unless you are some sort of weirdo who in hell wants to look up a strangers bum?
I should say “forced strip search” as “strip search” implies volunteering for it.
I am sure the more sadistic in nature ones would have no problem with it but they would be the same ones who would have no problem putting the boot in, I doubt they think of it as degrading but get their jolly’s by having power over defenseless people.
Tain Bo
ReplyDeleteIt was easier for me as there was only the two of us!
Usually they come in and do the search through force.
She tried to get the male cops to help that day but they weren't interested, too busy playing cards lol
Nuala,
ReplyDeletesounds more like she had it in for you it seems there was always one peeler who always wanted to put the boot in. I hope you give her a good dose of her own medicine. Town Hall St. was dismal
I remember spending a long weekend there in 81 after I accidently fell on four cops boots.
I am sure little has changed in that department as the new shinny badges does not mean they don’t or won’t carry on with the old tactics.
Tain Bo
ReplyDeleteShe had it in for everyone! She hated the fact we even got lunch.
Not too many survived those places unscathed. Some didn't live to tell the take!
Nuala,
ReplyDeletethat is true they literally got away with murder and their ranks were ripe with sadistic bastards. It was the same old story tell that to a Brit judge, not a chance in hell as obviously if you got a digging then the cops, UDR, and the Brits must have been protecting themselves.
SF and their silence on cop brutality is a joke and worse now that they look down their noses at republican prisoners it is shameful.