Political harrassment, intimidation and mistreatment at HMP Maghaberry

antrim | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Tuesday January 06, 2004 14:06

by prison reform

The Brit government through its prison officer lackeys continue to punish the current UDA loyalist paramilitary leadership, and its members in prison for daring to boot out their appointed stooge Johnny Adair. To this effect North belfast UDA leader Andre Shoukri is in solitary confinement and 24 hour lock down, flanked by armed prison officers in riot gear and ski masks, in what is seen by loyalist s as an attempt to break Andre Shoukri and pay retribution to the current UDA leadership for their stance in expelling the brit government's teachers pet C company.

In a statement delivered yesterday the UDA said it had not allowed itself to be drawn into controntation with republicans', 'We have supported the current UPRG in their attempt to find a peaceful response to the problems within NI prisons, yet loyalists find themselves on 24 hour lock downs and in solitary confinement'. ''There are a small number of prison officers making life very diffcult for some individual prisoners'', through ''Urinating and spitting in food and making threats through cell doors will not be tolerated by our organisation. Our prisoners wish to serve their sentences with dignity and in safe conditions.
As a person who grew up on a north belfast interface in an area stalked by the shankill butchers, the current UDA's ceasefire is a relief to many living in the murder triangle of north and west belfast. It is a shame the brit government continues to support the likes of rabid sectarian neo nazi murderers like Johnny Adair, whilst punishing progressive loyalists.