For years the NIO, ably supported by those in Stormont, have been advertising jobs for the British army, navy, air force, PSNI, Mi5 and the ‘prison service’. These jobs are advertised in newspapers, tv and radio and in more recent years on bus stops in Republican areas.
Last year Lasair Dhearg highlighted these advertisements and took action by removing them.
There is now a new advertisement on the glider stop at the bottom of Shaw’s Road in West Belfast and no doubt many people will ignore it but of course some gullible person may take note and possibly apply for a job in local prisons.
It makes reference to ‘night custody officers’ giving the impression that it’s a cosy job. It may well be for those who love the thought of locking men and women in a cell.
Prisons aren’t a holiday camp and as we have witnessed over many years they have been places where many Irish Republicans endured torture, especially during the dark days of the blanket and no wash protests which led to the hungers strikes of 1981 when ten men died.
Today there are Irish Republicans in prison and if anyone takes up the offer of a job they will be involved in force stripped searches and treating many prisoners with contempt.
The issue of prisons will be with us for a long time and although there are some people who call for prison reform the NIO for the most part ignore them. So we would call on people NOT to join this ‘service’
