Hello
everyone. I’m just back from the court. I was twice subjected to forced strip
searches today. That was my tenth forced strip in the last twelve weeks . I’m
also out to court next Tuesday so that will be another two.
Today I was
brought to the reception where the search team were waiting and forced into a
3ft x 3ft cubicle by two of them where I refused to strip. They laughed at me
and said “He’s ready for it!”
I was then
brought to a holding cell and kept in there for about 50 minutes with a governor
coming in twice to tell me their so called prison rules. (He could talk all
day, I wasn’t for stripping and won’t be at any stage while I’m incarcerated in
this place)
All the
while outside the cell the riot squad are getting ready. Suddenly the Cell door
bursts open and in they come in full riot gear, Helmets, shields, body
protection, the works.
They ram the
shield into my face, 2 of them grab my arms, another grabs my head, I’m forced
to the ground - Arms forced up my back, 2 knees forced into my head to hold it
down , 2 knees in the back of my legs… Then another one of them starts to force
off my shoes, socks and trousers off. I’m then moved into a forced position so
that my boxers are ripped down and my frontal private parts can be seen by
them. I’m then forced back into a position where my boxers are completely
forced off me and a hand held metal detector is ran over my backside.
At this
stage, it’s hard to breathe with their gloves covering my face and mouth. I’m
still being held by four of them on the floor, my private parts exposed… Naked!
Lying there!
They then
grab my boxers and jeans and force them up, hurting me .. leaving my private
parts still exposed – They then move me into another awkward position to take
my t shirt off… I think my arms are about to break in two ! It’s agony at this
stage.. My wrists are just numb... Being twisted the whole time this is going
on.. My shirt is now off.. I’m lying now with both my arms are forced up my
back towards the roof while the riot squad run out of the cell.. My arms just
drop to the floor.. I try my best to get onto my feet using my elbows ,
trousers hanging off me, boxers still below my private parts.. I’m aching all
over !
I try to get
dressed as the riot squad stand smirking at me. I just stare back at them. I
think of the other things they have done to me in the past.. Forced strips, cut
my clothes off, broke my nose, stood on me, forced me into squat positions,
forced my mouth open by trying to break my wrist… I could go on!
Well, that’s
me on the way to court! As soon as I get to Laganside ( where I’m already an
hour late because of the forced strip ) I’m brought straight to the court,
cuffed, and haven’t seen my solicitor.. Adjourned again ! That’s me down now to
a 6ft x 6ft cell to wait for a few hours.Then I’m brought back to the gaol
where I go through the whole strip search ordeal again.
Sitting in
my cell now – My wrists, knees, ankles, neck, back, head, shoulders are
aching.. One image going through my head is the faces of my friends who were
waiting patiently for me to come back.. Colly, Harry, Brendy, Gerard, Kevin …
It’s hard to explain the look on their faces but I can tell you that it’s one
of the worst feelings in gaol seeing one of your friends coming back from a
forced strip search, seeing them in pain !
I would take
all of their forced strip searches rather than see them in this agony.. pain ..
and I know they would do the same for me.
That’s
friendship that won’t be broken !
Well, slan
for now, another Republican forcibly strip searched.
D.D
McLaughlin, POW, Maghaberry gaol
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