In Belmarsh, Basque political prisoner Inigo Makazaga (FF7630) received FRFI without hindrance for two years, but has had the last three issues withheld. The reasons given have been completely inconsistent.

The first paper was stopped on grounds it was a ‘racial publication’. When Larkin Publications and the prisoners’ legal advisers wrote and protested, the grounds for withholding the paper suddenly changed to some equally spurious nonsense about the paper infringing the prison’s ‘Incentive and Earned Privileges Scheme’ (IEPS), as it came from the publishers rather than being purchased through the prison canteen. This did not explain why the papers were marked ‘racial paper and not for issue’ and doesn’t make sense in any case, as the IEPS refers to purchases made by prisoners and FRFI is sent free of charge as an act of solidarity.

Finally, the latest issue was returned to Larkin Publications, simply marked ‘Returned on advice by censor’s team’.

In Full Sutton Keith Rose (WD0226) has had the last issue (#186) put in his stored property with no explanation given.

In Frankland, Paul Lyons (RP1464) says that the current issue (#187) has been stopped from him and all other subscribers.

This is a blatant infringement of the right under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (freedom of expression) rights of all those prisoners concerned.

Please protest about this by writing to

Peter Atherton –Director of High Security Prisons
Prison Service Headquarters
Cleland House
Page Street
LONDON SW1P 4LN

By fax: 020 8331 4401
The Governor
HMP BELMARSH
Western Way
Thamesmead
LONDON
SE28 0EB

The Governor
HMP Full Sutton
Full Sutton
York
YO41 1PS

The Governor
HMP FRANKLAND
Finchale Road
Brasside
DURHAM
DH1 5YD