Maghaberry jail agreement must be implemented

Maghaberry Prison

THE AGREEMENT reached between prisoners and the prison administration at Maghaberry last August should be implemented in full as a matter of urgency, Raymond McCartney, the Sinn Féin Vice-Chair of the Assembly Justice Committee has told An Phoblacht.
Speaking to An Phoblacht just before we went to press, the Foyle MLA said:
“There are continuing concerns about the treatment of prisoners being held in Maghaberry with allegations of mistreatment by prison staff.
“It is important that prisoners’ rights are protected and that human rights are to the fore of the prison regime.
“Carál Ní Chuilín and myself have met with senior Prison management on numerous occasions to outline our ongoing concerns about the situation in Roe House and in relation to the Prison system overall.
“During that process an agreement was reached between the prisoners and the prison administration. This agreement needs to be implemented in full as a matter of urgency.”
Raymond McCartney commended the work carried out be Joint Facilitation Group “and I have no doubt that, with the goodwill that existed last year, a resolution to this dispute can be found”.
The Sinn Fein MLA added:
“I have pressed the prison administration and the Justice Minister on the matter to ensure that this is done. The situation cannot be allowed to deteriorate any further and a resolution must be forthcoming without further delay.”
He reiterated Sinn Féin’s position on the imprisonment of Marian Price.
“The revoking of Marian Price’s licence is completely unacceptable.
“The move by Secretary of State Owen Paterson amounts to detention without trial. This runs contrary to natural justice. The justice system must be human rights based and the revoking of Marian Price’s licence is totally unacceptable.
“Sinn Féin raised our concerns on this issue with the British Secretary of State at the time of Marian Price’s arrest and will continue to do so in the interests of justice and the human rights of the individual.”