Maghaberry Prison Conditions Throw Back To Maze Prison of '70's

Rapidly Deteriorating Conditions For Irish Republican Prisoners in Maghaberry Prison!

The following is an open letter by Republican Network for Unity representative Martin Óg Meehan regarding the rapidly deteriorating and deplorable conditions which Irish Republican prisoners have been enduring for several months in Maghaberry Prison.  These assertions are all the more poignant in a week which has marked the 29^th anniversary of the death of ’81 Hunger Striker, Bobby Sands.

The primary source of these escalating tensions had been the decision of prison staff to begin industrial action several months ago and their decision to engage in a “withdrawal of goodwill” in protest at the dismissal of a number of night custody officers further exacerbated the situation.  The immediate impact of this action upon the Irish Republican detainees at Maghaberry Prison was that they were locked in their cells for long periods of time.  Also, relatives and friends of the inmates in Roe House are bearing the brunt of the Prison staff strike action.

Due to the implantation of a ‘work to rule’ policy by the Prison staff, Republican inmates have to eat in their cells, are missing some meals altogether, and are refused exercise and education as a direct consequence of the dispute.  Family and legal visits have also been adversely affected.

These aggravated rumblings of discontent boiled over during the run up to the highlight in the Irish Republican calendar, the Easter Rising 1916 anniversary, culminating in 28 Irish Republican prisoners barricading themselves into the jail’s dining room on Easter Sunday.

However, since this conditions have worsened further and are causing ever increasing concern on a daily basis for the families/friends of those incarcerated in Maghaberry Prison.

The Republican Network for Unity Open Letter reads as follows:

9 May 2010

A Chara,

As a former political prisoner, I’d like to express my sadness at the current situation faced by republican prisoners in Maghaberry. On Easter Sunday political prisoners in the gaol took part in a disciplined protest to highlight problems they were enduring. Ever since, republicans in Roe House have been denied proper medical, washing, association and exercise facilities. The refusal of these basic rights is another example of a vindictive prison regime. Who have been criticised in the past by the Human Rights Commission and Prisoner Ombudsman regarding serious irregularities and mismanagement.

The families and friends of republican prisoners are also subjected to long delays and oppressive searches from prison staff during visits to the prison. These negative activities are totally unacceptable and must end immediately. Last week Harry Fitzsimmons was forcibly taken by the prison riot team to a solitary confinement block [where] he suffered a number of injuries from screws who remain wedded to draconian measures and the failed policies of the 1970’s.
 
What the prisoners require is a reinstatement of the humane conditions which were implemented following the tragic hunger strikes of 1981 [where] human rights and entitlements are safeguarded. Without addressing these concerns properly, the situation will deteriorate further. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us all to challenge what passes for ‘justice’ in Maghaberry!

Is Mise,

Martin Óg Meehan
Republican Network for Unity

Posted in: 1981 Hunger Strike,Bobby Sands,Irish Republican,Maghaberry Prison,Republican Network for Unity