August 10, 2003 Update on Situation In Maghaberry
from the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association

The Northern Ireland Prison Service have resorted to even more draconian practises in an effort to contain the escalating prison protests in Maghaberry gaol.

All sentenced prisoners on protest are currently being held in isolation in the punishment blocks. They are in stripped cells, on 24-hour lock up and have had all contact with each other and their family, friends and legal teams suspended.

14 prisoners on remand have now also joined in the no-wash dirty protest. In an ominous development the prison has put these men on what is known as "Restraint." The remand prisoners have also been put in isolation as the prison service feels they are "A threat to the other prisoners and to the smooth running of the prison," this policy is obviously intended to stem the flow of information coming from inside the gaol and allow the administration to continue with their lies and their denials of the human rights abuses inside their institution. Indeed a recently released prisoner who was on the protest confirmed to Radio Ulster that last week the men were beaten and hosed down in their cells, a fact that was denied by the British minister Jane Kennedy.

The IRPWA are holding a rally this Saturday 19th July at 2:30 pm in Dunville Park, Falls Rd, Belfast. We call on the people of Belfast to attend to show solidarity with the POWs and their families. The British Government believe that if the can keep the prisoners out of sight then they can keep them out of mind too. It is incumbent on ALL republicans to make sure that this is not the case and to keep the prison issue to the fore until it is resolved in a suitable and humane way.

Silence = complicity. If you care, you'll be there.