H-BLOCKS:THE LENGTH of the hair and beards of prisoners involved in the "dirty protest" at the Maze Prison in 1980 and the condition of their teeth are highlighted in files just released in Belfast under the 30-year rule.
At a meeting held to consider the medical aspects of the protest in Belfast on February 12th, 1980, the prison governor, S Hilditch said the hair and beards of prisoners in the H-Blocks were particularly long. An official, Mr Chambers, said he thought this posed a security risk, in that it was more difficult to search them.
It was pointed out that to cut the protesters’ hair forcibly would contravene medical policy, which laid down that force should only be used in a medical context where there was a community health hazard. It was agreed that as no such hazard existed, the hair could not be forcibly cut on medical grounds. However, in view of the concern of the governor and others, it was decided to discuss the security aspect further.
On March 29th, 1979, an official, Andrew Brown, reported that none of the inmates of H-Block 5 ever asked for their toothbrushes. On making inquiries of the prison authorities, he was “assured that there is no question of asking the prisoners to say ‘Sir’ or ‘please’ before giving them their toothbrushes, but that is of course how the H-Block Information Centre will present it”.
The official raised another issue: “My concern is that the prisoners will suffer tooth decay, which is bad in itself and will also be used against us as propaganda.”
Mr Brown felt it was interesting that there was always “one more aspect of the protest”, adding that he would be interested in hearing the doctors’ views on dental hygiene. He concluded pensively: “Maybe I am worrying unduly – if the protesters are a typical cross-section of the population, half of them will already be on their way to full sets of dentures.”