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1 October 1997
Transfer Decision - `Inadequate Response'
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Prison issues, Belfast Councillor Michael Browne has described the new transfer procedures introduced for prisoners as ``a wasted opportunity to resolve this long running and difficult issue.''
Councillor Browne said:
``The controversy around the transfer of republican prisoners from jails in Britain to prisons close to their families in Ireland will not be resolved by todays announcement.
``This was an inadequate response by the British government to a human rights issue which has been a source of much concern.
``The fact is that there are a number of republican prisoners who are now in the 22 year of their incarceration in prisons in Britain. There is still no sign of their being transferred to prisons close to their families. ``Under existing British Home Office policy there can be no excuse for delaying any further the transfer of all of those who desire it.
``While we welcome any developments which improve conditions for prisoners and their families, this measure falls far short of the comprehensive confidence- building approach necessary within this peace process.
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