Report on Republican Prisoners in English Jails

Full Sutton

Over the past several months conditions have continued to deteriorate in Full Sutton where eight Republican Prisoners are held. One of these, Hugh Doherty, is currently on punishment in Durham. Three of these men have served twenty one years. After the part closure of Frankland on security grounds, over 100 special category A prisoners were moved to Full Sutton. These included a number of Republican Prisoners.

Instead of extending the already small visiting area, it was divided into two sections, half for closed visits and half for open visits. In addition, cameras are now focused on the prisoners and their families during visits and the screws have to sit much closer. This amounts to a repressive and uncomfortable situation which makes visiting intimidating and almost worthless. The previously open exercise yard has been caged and security in general is more repressive.

Because of the deterioration in conditions most of the prisoners are refusing visits since June `96. They have been locked up for twenty two hours a day since 12th June 1996. Access to the library has been reduced to ten minutes per week and no books are allowed in. Coupled with this three of the prisoners, Paraic Mac Fhloinn, Derek Doherty and Mick 0 Brien have been waiting on repatriation for several months. They have been told by their solicitor that the hold up is due to the Dublin Government who want more details and information from the British. They feel they are being used as pawns by both Governments.