Peace process failed loyalist prisoners, claims new report

Suzanne Breen, Northern Editor

Billy Hutchinson: told researchers problems are widespread

The peace process has failed loyalist prisoners who suffer widespread discrimination and are far more disadvantaged than ex-IRA inmates, according to a report to be launched this week.

'Beneath the Mask: an Imperfect Peace' argues that 17 years after the loyalist ceasefire and 13 years after the Good Friday Agreement, there has been no peace dividend for loyalist prisoners.

Former UDA and UVF inmates can't find jobs, have been offered no education or training programmes, and are treated with suspicion and even hostility in their own communities, the report says.

Some are addicted to prescription and illegal drugs that they became dependent on while in prison, it states.

A range of ex-paramilitaries and their families took part in the study.

It focuses mainly on those living in Kilcooley in Bangor, Co Down, the North's third largest housing estate.

Former UVF prisoner Billy Hutchinson told the report's researchers that the problems of ex-loyalist prisoners in Kilcooley were replicated in Shankill and other areas.

Local community worker Mark Gordon said there was a danger of seeing the rise of "dissident loyalism".

He said loyalist prisoners, courted when peace was wanted, were looked down on once it was achieved.

He claimed promises made by the British government to men when they were in jail had been broken.

"They believed they'd be given a clean slate and their prison records wouldn't be an issue. They thought they'd be able to get jobs and earn a decent wage. Instead, employers don't want to know because of their past.

"These men haven't been welcomed back into their own community with open arms in comparison to ex-republican prisoners who are treated as heroes and freedom fighters.

"The republicans are given far more support from their community, their politicians and their church than loyalists receive." The report notes "the perception" that republican areas have benefited from British government and foreign funding substantially more than loyalist districts.

"Republican areas have received extensive US funding. Violent feuding between loyalist paramilitaries has also been an obstacle to funding coming into Protestant areas," Gordon said.

"And the feeling is that the British government has invested more in republican areas in order to keep Sinn Féin and the IRA on board the peace process, to stop the likelihood of attacks on the British mainland, and to halt the rise of dissident republicanism."

Gordon claimed that the electoral failure of the loyalist paramilitary parties, the PUP and the UDP, meant ex- loyalist prisoners were left voiceless at Stormont and elsewhere.

"Sinn Féin has ensured that the interests of former republican paramilitaries are on the agenda. Many Sinn Féin Assembly members are ex-IRA prisoners themselves so they're well-placed politically to lobby for funding.

"Loyalists have no influence over government decision-making. We urgently require equality of treatment between former loyalist and republican prisoners."

The report recommends training and education programmes for former inmates, legislation to end discrimination against prisoners in employment, and counselling and psychiatric services for those ex-UDA and UVF members suffering from "stress or domestic problems".

January 9, 2011

Comments

#1 gearoid commented, on January 10, 2011 at 10:59 a.m.:

As the saying goes - in gaol republicans studied and came out with degrees while loyalists done steroids and came out with muscles.

The funding to both sets of ex-prisoners was meticulously even. Republicans used it to develop their skill base and enhance their community. Loyalists used theirs to set up drinking dens and bankroll various private 'enterprises'..

Is it any wonder they cannot get employment now.

#2 emmett commented, on January 10, 2011 at 12:24 p.m.:

Loyalst prisoners are not welcome in their communities because these same communities were often the victims of "Loyalist Prisoners"

#3 joe commented, on January 10, 2011 at 12:46 p.m.:

No need to lobby for funding then Gearoid.
I think most of us know what at least a number ex-IRA people are up to these days.

#4 Stephen commented, on January 10, 2011 at 2:49 p.m.:

Gearoid is undoubtedly correct. It is also true to say that the calibre and employability of the majority of republican prisoners outweights the majority of loyalists. But that really isn't the point. These men are in danger of isolation and alienation. Many will have children. To stop the cancerous growth of second/third/fourth generational loyalism and associated pseudo-reactionary thuggery, it is necessary to, if necessary, kill it with kindness.

#5 mary commented, on January 10, 2011 at 4:30 p.m.:

It's amazing what you learn reading this, what i want too say is that money talk's.....The troubles was alway's about greed money power and control....The good people in North and south and england.... They have suffer in silence.... And the murderer's are enjoying a wonderful lifestyle for themselves families and their friend's.... While everyone continue, live with the pain that those who have made it through the benfit of over pain ..... Shame on them who have made so much money out of the troubles....

#6 CONOR DETROIT commented, on January 10, 2011 at 11:28 p.m.:

MARY GO GIVE YOUR HEAD A SHAKE AND LEARN HOW TO WRITE A LETTER.I GET THE GIST OF WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY BUT YOU ARE WRONG.GO WISE UP.

#7 Raymond McCord commented, on January 11, 2011 at 12:14 a.m.:

These so called loyalists haven't turned their back on violence , the uvf are still drug dealing murdering people and recruiting our young people into their ranks ! Billy Hutchinson has a cheek complaining through his Mount Vernon project he was awarded £1 million in funding for youth workers across NI and what are they doing recruiting young ones into rioting like in Rathcoole and Carrickfergus they even call their football team YCV ! is alarm bells not ringing?

#8 Catherine McCartney commented, on January 12, 2011 at 11:48 a.m.:

Conor have some manners. What's important is that you understand what Mary is saying.
The notion that republicans are building up their communities is a myth. It is true that past provos are being paid to be 'good boys and girls' but don't confuse that with sincere and geninue community development. It is typical that the solution to ex-paramilitaries problems is seen as more money but as Raymond says above, plenty of money is going into these communities but it is how it is being spent that matters. There is no accountability or transparency to the communities themselves, even though the money is claimed in their name. Money is only a small part of the solution.

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