Call for prison chief to resign

Northern Ireland’s prison chief faced demands for his resignation today over alleged abuse of loyalists held in a high security jail.

The Prisoners Human Rights Watch (PHRW) urged Peter Russell to quit, and called for a public inquiry into the treatment of men held in a separated regime at the Maghaberry complex near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

Inmates are being kept in their cells for up to 23 hours a day and denied proper education, the body claimed.

They are also being manipulated by warders locked in a bitter row with management, it was alleged.

PHRW spokesman Stanley Fletcher said: “They are using the prisoners as an industrial pawn in their ongoing fight with the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

“Prisoners on the separated regime are being denied the rights of other prisoners, in the hope of a backlash.”

Even though loyalists and republicans were split into separate cell blocks amid deepening security fears, tensions inside Maghaberry remain high.

The authorities stress all prisoners who agree to be kept apart have to sign an agreement explaining possible restrictions in the new regime.

But the PHRW, which speaks for loyalists but insists it will represent all inmates, claims the limitations are intolerable.

The body’s anger was fuelled by a damning new Northern Ireland Human Rights Condition report into the conditions endured by some women prisoners at Maghaberry.

“We want equality for everyone in the prison system,” said Ken Wilkinson, another PHRW representative.

“But what’s happening to separated prisoners goes much deeper than the women’s issue.

“We are calling for the resignation of (Prison Service Director General) Peter Russell and the number one governor at Maghaberry.

“We also want a full public inquiry into all aspects of human rights treatment in Northern Ireland prisons, and Maghaberry in particular.”

Claims that only classes with little educational benefit, such as yoga, were offered to separated prisoners were emphatically rejected by the Prison Service.

An impressive range of courses, including English and Irish Studies, has been offered, it was stressed.

A spokesman also hit back at the wider allegations of how the prisoners were treated.

He said: “Anyone who has any evidence of human rights abuses should bring it to the attention of the relevant authorities.

“Separated loyalist prisoners have brought several legal challenges against the separated regime operating in Maghaberry which have failed.”