Local councillors pay heartfelt tribute to Quakers' prison service effect on their lives

By Gareth Cross

A number of local councillors have paid tribute to the impact the Quaker's Prison Service has had on them and their families.

The tributes came during a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Governance and Strategic Planning Committee at the Guildhall this week.

Janette McKnight and Sinead Bailie from the Quakers Service gave councillors a presentation outlining the history of the organisation and the work they do today.

The Quakers were formed in 1969 in response to The Troubles and for many years worked in prisons helping prisoners and their families during visits with their family visitors' centre.

In 2015 the Quakers lost the contract to provide the service at Maghaberry Prison but their volunteers continue to work in prisons across Northern Ireland including Magilligan Prison.

Independent councillor Warren Robinson said as someone who had used the service provided by Quakers during his time at 'Long Kesh and Maghaberry,' he would like to thank the group for the service provided to his family.

He said that people using the service 'often had to travel a long distance but got a warm welcome' and that the group worked 'without fear or favour' in difficult circumstances.

Independent councillor Paul Gallagher paid a heartfelt tribute saying the organisation offered support to his mother when visiting family members, 'when she had to hitch hike to Long Kesh having been denied access to transport'.

Cllr Gallagher said the group provided her with 'a hot meal, a drink and conversation'.

He told the Quakers that the service she had received was 'invaluable'.

Independent councillor Gary Donnelly said he had received the service as both a family member and prisoner.

He said that the service had been 'partially eroded' since the Quakers lost the contract and that the family of Tony Taylor, who has a disabled son are forced to walk 700 yards to the prison from the car park when previously a bus was provided by the Quakers.

Cllr Donnelly called the situation 'an absolute disgrace' and thanked the Quakers for the support he and his family had received.

Sinn Fein councillor Brian McMahon thanked the group 'from the bottom of my heart' as an 'ex-prisoner' for all the work they did for the 'most vulnerable'.

SDLP councillor John Boyle said he was very disappointed the service had been lost and that it felt like an 'injustice' given 'almost 40 years of unparalleled dedication'.

The Quakers group thanked the councillors for their comments and said they felt 'very emotional' at the reception they had received.