Armagh Prison Struggle: an : For ALL Facets

with dirt, fear and degradation every minute of every day.

At a recent public meeting organised by the Armagh Prisoners! Solidarity Committee (APSC), Margaretta D'Arcy spoke of just what it was like to live under these conditions, Margaretta is one of the Armagh11 who were arrested, charged and convicted of 'assauilt! aftera picket of Armagh prison on International Women!ts Day 1979.

She served a sentence of four months with another of the Armagh 11, Liz, and was released on August 13th. One of the things Margaretta spoke about, which even the most concerned people can forget, is the isolation the prisoners feel from the rest of the world, It is true they are told of people fighting for them on the outside and are strongly encouraged by the protests directly outside the prison.

But still ideas and political discussion move on outside at a different pace, The discussion of the relationship of feminism to the republican women prisoners, and all the changing aspects of modern lifestyle move on outside their confines.

They are sometimes left out of discussions and afraid of becoming institutionalized. Therefore, it is important for every one of us to make an effort to assure them of our support by sending regular postcards to any or all of the 30 women, There is a 50% chance of them getting through the censors, Margaretta also spoke of their amazing high spirits and a strong will to survive. The women are tough with themselves and never allow each other to cry or show weakness that could immediately be turned to the advantage of the male or female prison warders, For the same reason, If possible, the women do not make any contact, either verbal or physical, with the warders, Even though the food is cold and stodgy, the women seemed to get enough. They have very little exercise, are locked up ina small cell 23 hours a day, yet they all seem to be losing weight rapidly.

The case of Pauline McLoughlin must be pointed out, Pauline has always had a history of a weak stomach, and even when she has been detained on remand she often got sick after eating.

While on protest for the last two years, she was several times declared unflt for punishment and would be taken off the protest and allowed parcels and visits until her weight improved, and then she would again be declared fit for punishment and the parcels stopped yet again. Then in July, with her weight reduced to 6 stone or less, she was rushed to Musgrove Park hospital and then the coronary unit of the Belfast City Hospital. nD or care. also rapidly declining. After a week she was still not diagnosed and was callously sent back to the prison where there is little chance of her getting any treatment There are also reports from the prison that since the British government saved themselves from a grave embarassment and "released!! Marian Price for urgent medical treatment that her sister Doloyrs! health is Issue Support and discussion continues outside Armagh jall. Since Women Against Imperialism took the InIthative and focussed attention on Armagh the republican movement has been pushed towards recognizing women's particular needs and demands, At the same time, the womens! movement has been con=fronted with a question which has dogged Its potentlal for developing its influence, We cannot allow a scandal such as Armagh Jall pass us by If we are feminlIsts and antiImperlallsts, SUPPORT THE ARMAGH WOMEN ANNE O!BRIEN