Action and Research International Consulting Services by Brandon Hamber and Associates “Blocks to the Future” A Pilot Study of the Long-term Psychological Impact of the ‘No Wash/Blanket’ Protest Dr Brandon Hamber 20 October 2005 +44 (0)7810182954 [email protected] www.brandonhamber.com Action and Research International i Table of Contents Table of Contents........................................................................................................ i List of Tables .............................................................................................................iii Foreword.................................................................................................................... iv Preface........................................................................................................................ vi Chapter One ............................................................................................................... 1 Introduction................................................................................................................ 1 Background .............................................................................................................. 1 Rationale for the study............................................................................................. 1 Methodology ............................................................................................................ 2 Scope and limitations............................................................................................... 5 Chapter Two............................................................................................................... 9 Historical context....................................................................................................... 9 Background to the conflict....................................................................................... 9 Chronology of the Protest........................................................................................ 9 Chapter Three.......................................................................................................... 15 Findings..................................................................................................................... 15 Early experiences ................................................................................................... 17 The beginnings of the conflict............................................................................... 20 Becoming politically active................................................................................... 21 Experiences prior to the protest............................................................................. 28 The nature of the protest ........................................................................................ 34 Abuse and severe ill-treatment .............................................................................. 42 Coping strategies.................................................................................................... 52 Effects during the protest....................................................................................... 56 Mental health problems during the protest............................................................ 57 Medical problems during the protest..................................................................... 60 Release ................................................................................................................... 62 Current status of interviewees ............................................................................... 70 Current medical problems...................................................................................... 72 Coping today.......................................................................................................... 73 Current mental health effects and problems.......................................................... 74 Interviewees views on services needed................................................................. 81 +44 (0)7810182954 [email protected] www.brandonhamber.com Action and Research International ii Interviewees visions of the Future......................................................................... 85 Chapter Four............................................................................................................ 88 Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 88 Individual and contextual differences ................................................................... 88 Trauma and the traumatic situation ....................................................................... 91 Understanding the traumatic process .................................................................... 92 Trauma and context ............................................................................................... 94 The cost of convictions.......................................................................................... 96 Chapter Five........................................................................................................... 105 Recommendations.................................................................................................. 105 References............................................................................................................... 109 Appendixes.............................................................................................................. 111 Appendix A: Background Information on Cúnamh ........................................... 111 Appendix B: Protocol of Questions..................................................................... 113 Appendix C: Summary of research data ............................................................. 122 +44 (0)7810182954 [email protected] www.brandonhamber.com Action and Research International iii List of Tables Table 1 Year in which interviewees were sentenced................................................ 33 Table 2 Frequency of charges against interviewees at time of imprisonment......... 34 Table 3 Spread of years in which interviewees protests' began ............................... 35 Table 4 Frequency of medical problems on protest.................................................. 61 Table 5 Frequency of medical problems after the protest (in prison) ...................... 62 Table 6 Frequency of medical problems on release ................................................. 68 Table 7 Current employment status of interviewees ................................................ 70 Table 8 Qualifications and experience of interviewees............................................ 71 Table 9 Marital status of interviewees ...................................................................... 71 Table 10 Frequency of medical problems today....................................................... 73 Table 11 Services known by interviewees................................................................ 81 Table 12 Interviewees suggestions of what support services are needed ................ 83 +44 (0)7810182954 [email protected] www.brandonhamber.com Action and Research International iv Foreword Since its inception in 1997 Cúnamh has been involved in a number of groundbreaking projects, which were designed to deal with people’s experience of conflict. Its work with the families of Bloody Sunday, with the families of those killed by the British state and its agents and with the families of former political prisoners will become the future benchmarks of models of good practice in this field. The strength of these projects is that they were constructed with the direct input by those directly affected by conflict. I want to commend Cúnamh for its latest initiative, ‘Blocks To The Future’, a pilot research project that examines the effects of the “Blanket/No Wash” Protest in Long Kesh from 1976 to 1981. There is absolutely no doubt that this period culminating in the deaths of ten men on hunger strike is one of the most important chapters in the history of republicanism, indeed in the history of Ireland. This research project brings to the fore how this period in our history has affected some of those who were participants in it. The project has provided the space for a number of ex-prisoners to speak about the uniqueness of their experience and how imprisonment impacted upon them. They outline in open and honest terms how the blanket protest affected their physical, emotional and mental well-being. All of this, professionally and sensitively guided by the Cúnamh staff. Too often in the past there was a tendency to record history as a collective or consensual experience and memory. Whereas that approach leaves us with a valuable reflection of the past, this project allows individual participants to speak of the period not for historical analysis but for its impact on them. It gives a voice for things deeply felt but never spoken. Importantly it highlights trauma, which requires attention. It points to and offers ways in which this trauma can be addressed. It asks of us all to not only accept the findings but to do our utmost to create the services that this report demands. +44 (0)7810182954 [email protected] www.brandonhamber.com Action and Research International v Ba mhaith liom bhuíochas a ghabháil le Cúnamh as an cháipéis tábhachtach seo,