Maghaberry Prison visits cancelled

Published Thursday, 24 November 2011

Family and legal visits to Maghaberry Prison on Friday and Saturday have been cancelled due to a planned protest by friends and family members of Republican prisoners.

The protest is over conditions at the high security prison in Lisburn.

Arrangements will be made to reschedule all cancelled visits, a statement from the Department of Justice said.

Visits for Sunday will continue as normal.

Paul Givan, Justice Committee member and DUP MLA, said the Prison Service must stand firm against demands being made by dissident republicans.

"Republicans continue to protest inside Maghaberry in an effort to make this prison similar to the Maze when prisoners had unfettered movement and control there. Not only is this absolutely unacceptable, but is costing the public purse hundreds of thousands of pounds."

He said that Justice Minister David Ford had "already compromised with the prisoners" and that "no further concessions can be made that would jeopardise the security of the Prison and the safety of prison staff."

Mr Givan claimed: "These prisoners already receive preferential treatment but should be treated like any other prisoners with privileges removed rather than enhanced."

He said concerns over the protest have also been raised with him by members of the community from Maghaberry village.

Comments

32 Comments

Tommy in Limavady wrote (178 days ago):

I hope these clowns had a licence to let off fireworks, if not get them scooped and before the courts ASAP.

doire abu in doire wrote (179 days ago):

Sometimes I feel like becoming a criminal, and getting caught on purpose! Seems much easier than working for a living

Frosty in Here wrote (180 days ago):

So many ready to point the finger, yet so few to lend a helping hand. Not all prisoners are seasoned criminals. It may surprise you (or it may not) to learn that many prisoners are actually suffering from severe mental illness, yet get locked up in unsuitable conditions. They aren't all murderers and rapists, some are in there because they have no tv license or stole a pint of milk. Should we just cut their hands off and let them get on with it?

Peter in belfast wrote (180 days ago):

how can people come on here and get on their high horse about the "criminals" in the prison are this that and an other, many of them are on remand....not guilty!! and an agreement about strip searches being reneged on by Mr Ford which has been described by the European court of human rights as in humane. so before leaving a hate filled comment just because you seen "republican" and "prisoner" understand what is going on.

Anonymous in Belfast wrote (180 days ago):

I think its about time some of us law abiding citizens take to the streets in a COUNTER protest to demand less money making these criminal feeling at home when decent law abiding people are being hit by the economy.

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