A study conducted by senior academics from the University of Ulster and Queen’s University, Belfast has undertaken an in-depth analysis of the impact of imprisonment on Republican and Loyalist prisoners and their families and the role of former prisoners in developing the peace process. The report, which is to be launched today, was undertaken in conjunction with Tar Isteach and EPIC (respectively, republican and loyalist political former-prisoner organisations).

Authors of the study were Professor Brian Graham and Dr Peter Shirlow from the University of Ulster and Professor Kieran McEvoy of QUB.

Many of the former prisoners questioned felt they had a role to play in the transition from conflict to conflict transformation but that their efforts had been undermined by the existence of criminalisation. 

Said Dr Shirlow: “Former prisoners contended that the media had failed to provide adequate coverage of the positive role that they and the groups that represent them play in developing modes of conflict transformation”.

The report also highlights how many prisoners felt that their experience of the conflict and prison could be used to benefit others, particularly as a ‘deterrent to young people’ and ‘to show the motivations and help explain the cause’ of the conflict. The sentiment of numerous comments was that lessons should be learned from those involved in the conflict so as not to repeat them. 

Professor McEvoy said: “Many of the former prisoners questioned felt they had a role to play in the transition from conflict to conflict transformation. For example, 81% of former Republican prisoners and 47% of former Loyalists had been involved in some form of community work since their release with 63% and 33% respectively becoming involved specifically in interface areas. In the report we identify different styles of leadership which has been provided by former prisoners in the process of moving our society from conflict. Finally at a grass roots level, we believe that significant numbers of former-prisoners have been involved in proving moral and community leadership in for example advocating for non-violent response to community tensions.For many of the prisoners interviewed who had both inflicted violence and who had been on the receiving end of such violence, it holds no allure. It is precisely those kind of people who have the credibility to advocate for a non-violent future, particularly to a younger generation who may only have a dim memory of the grim reality of inter communal violence”.

The report highlights differences between the Republican and Loyalist former prisoners which are more than merely ideological. Loyalist and Republican former prisoners tend to be regarded differently within their own communities and this affects their dealings outside those communities. This means that the effects of exclusions and impediments vary between the two groups. The research found that despite the small physical distances between Loyalist and Republican former prisoners, there is often a sense of parallel worlds and a desire to build transformation within each respective community as opposed to between communities. 

Professor Brian Graham said: “Face to face contact, notwithstanding, fundamental misunderstandings remain between Republican and Loyalist former prisoners, as do stereotypical depictions of the other. Thus the thrust of both Republic and Loyalist prisoners is within their respective communities”.

However, the report also acknowledges that the nature and volume of contact between Loyalist and Republican former prisoners has increased since the onset of peace building strategies. An opportunity now exists to move beyond present divisions and ambiguities, but that opportunity should be enhanced by direct funding of such contacts. With regard to funding it was also observed that the positive work undertaken by former prisoner groups is ad hoc and short-term and that there should be a more defined and long term funding strategy.

The report concluded that former prisoners, particularly in Republican communities, are providing leadership towards the building of relations between state agencies and communities which have traditionally been estranged from them. Similarly, it was acknowledged that EPIC have built relationships with Republicans that are more developed than the relationships created between Republicans and mainstream Unionism.

The survey which was conducted by Dr Feilim Ó hÁdhmaill and Ms Dawn Purvis among 300 former Republican and Loyalist prisoners and family members highlighted the reality that incarceration and post imprisonment has presented all prisoners and their families with a series of complex problems of varying degrees such as health problems, relationship problems, difficulties in finding long term employment and problems centred around coping with life on the outside.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
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