The Diary of a Prisoner
Over 20 republican prisoners at HMP Maghaberry are currently taking part in a no wash protest - the prisoners are demanding segregation from loyalist inmates who vastly outnumber them and are involved in a campaign of intimidation that has resulted in several attacks and numerous death threats. What follows is the jail journal of one protesting prisoner which was passed to the Andersonstown News.
On June 24 republican prisoners were issued with a prison warning - we were told to be "extra vigilant."
If the jail can’t protect us then we need segregation.
They (NIO) can’t guarantee my safety therefore I demand to be put with other republicans where my safety will be guaranteed.
I was made to share a cell with a heroin dealer. This was jeopardising my visits because if the 'passive sniffer dog' smells drugs you are refused a visit, or get a closed visit which is distressing for your family.
After Friday 27 June protests we informed the prison service that we were willing to share cells, but only with other republicans.
This was refused. If we are forced to share calls we will only share them with other republicans and not ODCs (Ordinary Decent Criminals) or drug dealers and loyalists.
This was an opportunity to show that we are reasonable and approachable people willing to negotiate.
However, this was refused. The prison service is to be blamed for their intransigence - their ignorance has forced us to take action.
Republican prisoners in Maghaberry gaol have entered into an indefinite protest against the government’s policy of forced integration. We the republican POWs held in this concentration camp hereby wish to state that we are not criminals; therefore we refuse to be treated as such.
We have taken a collective decision to enter into this form of protest as a last resort. We have been attacked on a number of occasions and have received countless threats from loyalists and their supporters, the prison officers.
These attacks go unnoticed by the authorities and totally ignored by the NIO. Of late they have forced republican POWs to share cells with known drug users. We have raised our concerns through all available channels but we have been ignored. We as republicans feel we have no other choice, as we have exhausted all avenues.
This is not a protest entered into lightly, nor by choice, this establishment through their own ignorance and neglect have forced this upon us.