Alex McCrory I remember my first Christmas in the H-Blocks. 

It was 1979 and I had just been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. I was shocked by the severity of my punishment, especially being such a young age.

Because of my youthfulness, I was remanded to St Pat's on the Glen Road; a training school for young boys. Therefore, the prospect of going to an adult prison was daunting, to say the least. I was mentally ill prepared for the challenge.

As a regular reader of the Republican News, I was aware of the ongoing brutality in the H-Blocks, for example, the beatings, the mirror searches, and the forced washes. I was in awe of the prisoners and wanted to join them. But, I doubted myself.

My mother was prominent in the RAC committees and spoke at public events. Already, three of my cousins were on the blanket protest for political status. Although they were older, I always thought myself their equal. A part of me actually looked forward to joining them inside the belly of the beast. Where we would face the enemy together.

That first Christmas was a very dark time. Never had I felt so demoralised and out of my depth. There no shame admitting I cried myself to sleep that night thinking of my family. It was my first Christmas away from home; the first of many more to come.

Enough of my moaning. My present thoughts are of the current cohort of political prisoners and their families as Christmas approaches.

With seven days to go to Christmas, it is worth remembering that Republicans prisoners have not had physical contact with the families for two years. We take having our loved ones close to us for granted. The very thought of being separated from them for a long period is enough give us sleepless nights. But, for Republican prisoners, this is a painful reality. How they cope with such deprivation is unfathomable. 

So, spare a thought for these women and men over the festive season.

Alec McCrory 
is a former blanketman.

Christmas Behind Bars

Alex McCrory I remember my first Christmas in the H-Blocks. 

It was 1979 and I had just been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. I was shocked by the severity of my punishment, especially being such a young age.

Because of my youthfulness, I was remanded to St Pat's on the Glen Road; a training school for young boys. Therefore, the prospect of going to an adult prison was daunting, to say the least. I was mentally ill prepared for the challenge.

As a regular reader of the Republican News, I was aware of the ongoing brutality in the H-Blocks, for example, the beatings, the mirror searches, and the forced washes. I was in awe of the prisoners and wanted to join them. But, I doubted myself.

My mother was prominent in the RAC committees and spoke at public events. Already, three of my cousins were on the blanket protest for political status. Although they were older, I always thought myself their equal. A part of me actually looked forward to joining them inside the belly of the beast. Where we would face the enemy together.

That first Christmas was a very dark time. Never had I felt so demoralised and out of my depth. There no shame admitting I cried myself to sleep that night thinking of my family. It was my first Christmas away from home; the first of many more to come.

Enough of my moaning. My present thoughts are of the current cohort of political prisoners and their families as Christmas approaches.

With seven days to go to Christmas, it is worth remembering that Republicans prisoners have not had physical contact with the families for two years. We take having our loved ones close to us for granted. The very thought of being separated from them for a long period is enough give us sleepless nights. But, for Republican prisoners, this is a painful reality. How they cope with such deprivation is unfathomable. 

So, spare a thought for these women and men over the festive season.

Alec McCrory 
is a former blanketman.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks for this Alex and very best regards to your mother. Seasons greetings.

    ReplyDelete