There are no proposals to replicate in Northern Ireland plans mooted by the British government to allow the use of batons by staff to contain violence in youth prisons.
The Celtic League had written to Jack Straw recently to condemn the plans. See Celtic News:
In a letter from the Northern Ireland Prison Service the Security Management Operations Directorate say:
"USE OF BATONS
Your letter to Rt. Hon. Jack Straw was passed to me because of your final comment urging the devolved administration in Northern Ireland not to replicate the proposals.
I write simply to inform you that no such proposals are under consideration as far as Northern Ireland is concerned."
The Celtic League will continue to press devolved governments elsewhere to boycott the Straw proposals.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment(CPT) has thanked the Celtic League for drawing their attention to the British government proposals.
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
03/11/07
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