- Statement from Roe 4 Republican Prisoners Maghaberry 09/07/15
Imprisoned In Maghaberry |
Once again security governor Brian Armour has taken the opportunity to attack the rights of Republican Prisoners. Republican Liam Mc Donnell has been isolated by the Maghaberry Administration intent on creating conflict. Liam is a Republican Prisoner who was sentenced recently. He was on the Republican wing before getting released on bail. Normally, because of him already having spent time on Roe 4, he would have been moved straight to Roe after sentencing. This has been blocked via a security driven agenda with the intention of destabilising the Republican wing. This most recent incident of isolation is the tail-end of a relentless campaign involving security governors such as Armour.
For the past number of months there has been an upsurge in vindictive actions including multiple charges, and PSNI arrests; when Republican Prisoners were taken from the wing to Antrim Barracks as well as men taken to the punishment block on contrived and trivial charges. Along with this, there has been an orchestrated campaign to further restrict movement which is already excessively controlled. Wing screws are being directed by security governors to refuse to let men onto landings in a further restrictive reinterpretation of the failed Stocktake of November 2014.
Families are being forced to spend hours each day-for days at a time-on the phone, simply to book a visit. When they finally get to the visit they are told the Parcels and Letters Office is closed, and so, such as what happened on Father’s Day- children and partners cannot leave in cards or mail for their loved ones. Republican Prisoners wait 2, 3, or 4 weeks on a Birthday or Father’s Day card that is sitting in an office 200 yards away.
Legal visits are being systematically interfered with. Solicitors are regularly told that Republican Prisoners are refusing to see them. Republican Prisoners are similarly told that their solicitor is with other clients, only to be told by solicitors that this was lies. Governors, including the number 1 Governor have been told of this, yet it continues; with staff on legal visits stating that they take their orders from Head of Security Brian Armour.
This vindictive behaviour cannot be allowed to continue. If the Maghaberry Administration truly want a conflict-free environment then its time to reign in the dogs.
There is a real lack of agitation regarding prisoners. Regardless of republicans individual current perspective, surely given our history,this is the one issue we should remain active on. We have to make as much noise as possible on this as there will be nothing but silence coming from stormont.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I think with that observation should be a practical example of what more can be done. For example for those not in Ireland, buying Scairt Amach (several copies!) should be standard. It was a very good read too.Then you are on the IRPWA mailing list for events etc.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Scairt Amach,Daithi?
ReplyDeleteDaithi, there's not much you can do except attend rallies, pressurise politicians, prison officials etc. The problem is rallies are often sparsely attended, to counter this I talk about the issues constantly in the hope more people will get involved. Crowd of us are attending a march in Glasgow tomorrow, I'll let you know the outcome.
ReplyDeleteCh...Typo Name, Scairt Amach is the magazine the prisoners write articles for, you can get it from the IRPWA shop. Im probably biased, but it is excellent. For example the recent issue discussed punishment shootings in way ive not seen elsewhere.Ill send any issue,any where,to anyone if they really want to see what in it (im not affiliated in anyway to IRPWA though) its the smallest contribution I can make. But the IRPWA must have some mailing list to notify others of their events, i think there is a boxing match on the 8th and march on the 9th (of August) coming up.
ReplyDeleteDavid, please do. I understand there is alot of flute band marches attacked in places like Liverpool, Scotland is just a cesspit for this sort of thing, very brave of all who attend.
Thanks,Daithi.
ReplyDelete