Post by Sinn Féin Poblachtach - Cork on Jul 18, 2006 20:58:21 GMT
DEMANDS
1. FREE ASSOCIATION
2. END TO CONTROLLED MOVEMENT
3. RIGHT TO FULL TIME EDUCATION
4. SEPARATE VISITING FACILITY
5. RIGHT TO ORGANISE OUR OWN WING
Free Association & End to Controlled Movement – These issues can be taken together. POW’s are denied any Free Association and security concerns are cited by the Prison Service for enforcing Controlled Movement on the Segregated wing.
This policy means that only three prisoners are allowed out of their cells at any one time and the ratio of prison staff to POW required is 4:2 or 3:1.
This obviously prevents any Free Association between POW’s but also causes a number of practical problems. Canteen facilities are not open to POW’s and they are required to eat in their cells, this also restricts the amount of time POW’s can spend out of their cells and results in them being locked in their cells for 21hrs on a ‘good day’ and 23 hrs on a ‘bad day’.
The regime operates ‘good day’ – ‘bad day’ on alternate days.
Education – Education is available in the segregated wing but this is hampered by the restrictions on movement.
Due to the limited time prisoners are allowed out of their cells they must choose between education and exercise. If a prisoners’ class falls on a ‘bad day’ where 23hr lockup is imposed they forfeit going outside at all for the education class.
In ordinary wings of the prison (that house non-political prisoners) the regime is less restricted and prisoners have access to both education and exercise.
- POW’s are denied blackboards/whiteboards etc that would facilitate them teaching each other. This is also prevented by the restrictions on Free Association.
- In terms of handicrafts prisoners are also denied necessary materials. In the other wings of the prison all materials are available and workshops are provided.
Within education the prisoners want
a) freedom of movement so that they can engage in both exercise and education,
b) Blackboards etc so that they can educate each other,
c) full access to handicraft materials including tools and wood etc.
Separate Visiting Facility – When segregation was first introduced the Prison Service agreed to build separate accommodation as a visiting facility for segregated prisoners. The head of the prison service has said that this is no longer on the agenda.
For the safety of both visitors and POW’s separate facilities are needed. In one case, a visitor to a Republican POW was followed home to Belfast by visitors to a Loyalist prisoner.
In a sinister move the Prison Service have recently blamed Segregated prisoners for the cramped visiting facilities that now exist for non-political prisoners because part of that visiting accommodation is being used at present to facilitate separate visits for Segregated prisoners.
Right to organise wing – Last year POW’s discussed this with the priest in the gaol. The prison service were aware that this would become necessary but are not moving on this issue.
OTHER ISSUES
WELFARE VISITS
Sentenced Prisoners in Maghaberry are allowed one visit per week. Welfare visits are not available to the Republican Prisoners Action Group and so to have contact with a representative from the RPAG POW’s have to forfeit a family visit.
In advance of the Separated Regime Review of May 2006 welfare visits were only available to MLA’s, MP’s or councillors from a political party that had a sitting MLA/MP. The review changed this to allow Councillors from political parties with no representation at MP/MLA level to have access to welfare visits also.
In our submission to the Northern Ireland Prison Service Review Consultation exercise we highlighted the fact that this policy prevented representatives from RSF who are excluded from Council elections in the 6 Counties by the Test Oath and indeed the RPAG who represent prisoners but are not a political organisation who would be standing in elections at all.
POW’s are seeking welfare visits from the RPAG along the lines provided to Councillors, MLA’s and MP’s etc. They are not represented by any organisation that contest elections in the 6 Counties and so these restrictions impact severely on their contact with suitable representatives.
SEARCHES
POW’s, regardless of the restrictions on their movement, are subject to numerous rub down searches on the way to and from visits, including legal visits, and regular strip searches.
A Prison Review in May 2006 indicated that the number of rub down searches would be reduced on the Segregated Wing. However the Review also referred to a facility being built for ‘private searches’, the facility has been confirmed to be for the purpose of strip-searching. This facility is located in the access areas to Bush and Roe houses, the segregated wings. (the Republican POW’s are held in Roe House)
www.rsfcork.com
Political Status is a right not a privilege - Support the POW's
1. FREE ASSOCIATION
2. END TO CONTROLLED MOVEMENT
3. RIGHT TO FULL TIME EDUCATION
4. SEPARATE VISITING FACILITY
5. RIGHT TO ORGANISE OUR OWN WING
Free Association & End to Controlled Movement – These issues can be taken together. POW’s are denied any Free Association and security concerns are cited by the Prison Service for enforcing Controlled Movement on the Segregated wing.
This policy means that only three prisoners are allowed out of their cells at any one time and the ratio of prison staff to POW required is 4:2 or 3:1.
This obviously prevents any Free Association between POW’s but also causes a number of practical problems. Canteen facilities are not open to POW’s and they are required to eat in their cells, this also restricts the amount of time POW’s can spend out of their cells and results in them being locked in their cells for 21hrs on a ‘good day’ and 23 hrs on a ‘bad day’.
The regime operates ‘good day’ – ‘bad day’ on alternate days.
Education – Education is available in the segregated wing but this is hampered by the restrictions on movement.
Due to the limited time prisoners are allowed out of their cells they must choose between education and exercise. If a prisoners’ class falls on a ‘bad day’ where 23hr lockup is imposed they forfeit going outside at all for the education class.
In ordinary wings of the prison (that house non-political prisoners) the regime is less restricted and prisoners have access to both education and exercise.
- POW’s are denied blackboards/whiteboards etc that would facilitate them teaching each other. This is also prevented by the restrictions on Free Association.
- In terms of handicrafts prisoners are also denied necessary materials. In the other wings of the prison all materials are available and workshops are provided.
Within education the prisoners want
a) freedom of movement so that they can engage in both exercise and education,
b) Blackboards etc so that they can educate each other,
c) full access to handicraft materials including tools and wood etc.
Separate Visiting Facility – When segregation was first introduced the Prison Service agreed to build separate accommodation as a visiting facility for segregated prisoners. The head of the prison service has said that this is no longer on the agenda.
For the safety of both visitors and POW’s separate facilities are needed. In one case, a visitor to a Republican POW was followed home to Belfast by visitors to a Loyalist prisoner.
In a sinister move the Prison Service have recently blamed Segregated prisoners for the cramped visiting facilities that now exist for non-political prisoners because part of that visiting accommodation is being used at present to facilitate separate visits for Segregated prisoners.
Right to organise wing – Last year POW’s discussed this with the priest in the gaol. The prison service were aware that this would become necessary but are not moving on this issue.
OTHER ISSUES
WELFARE VISITS
Sentenced Prisoners in Maghaberry are allowed one visit per week. Welfare visits are not available to the Republican Prisoners Action Group and so to have contact with a representative from the RPAG POW’s have to forfeit a family visit.
In advance of the Separated Regime Review of May 2006 welfare visits were only available to MLA’s, MP’s or councillors from a political party that had a sitting MLA/MP. The review changed this to allow Councillors from political parties with no representation at MP/MLA level to have access to welfare visits also.
In our submission to the Northern Ireland Prison Service Review Consultation exercise we highlighted the fact that this policy prevented representatives from RSF who are excluded from Council elections in the 6 Counties by the Test Oath and indeed the RPAG who represent prisoners but are not a political organisation who would be standing in elections at all.
POW’s are seeking welfare visits from the RPAG along the lines provided to Councillors, MLA’s and MP’s etc. They are not represented by any organisation that contest elections in the 6 Counties and so these restrictions impact severely on their contact with suitable representatives.
SEARCHES
POW’s, regardless of the restrictions on their movement, are subject to numerous rub down searches on the way to and from visits, including legal visits, and regular strip searches.
A Prison Review in May 2006 indicated that the number of rub down searches would be reduced on the Segregated Wing. However the Review also referred to a facility being built for ‘private searches’, the facility has been confirmed to be for the purpose of strip-searching. This facility is located in the access areas to Bush and Roe houses, the segregated wings. (the Republican POW’s are held in Roe House)
www.rsfcork.com
Political Status is a right not a privilege - Support the POW's
