History of North’s infamous prisons to be filmed
Hidden tales of life inside the North’s infamous jails are to be filmed to protect their legacy for future generations.
Ex-prisoners and wardens will contribute to the archive of memories and stories as part of a new University of Ulster research project.
Both Long Kesh and Crumlin Road jail in Belfast – where hunger strikes, killings and breakouts added to the drama of conflict – have been shut for years and are currently run down.
Cahal McLaughlin, a senior lecturer in media studies at the university, insisted protecting their memories was crucial.
He said: “The proposed redevelopment of most of Northern Ireland’s notorious prisons signals the removal of some of the most significant buildings from the Troubles, taking with it much of the hidden and contested heritage associated with them.
“Thousands of people, including staff, prisoners and visitors, were touched by the prisons and their stories are a vital part of the peace process and Northern Ireland’s history.
“It’s these stories and memories that we want to tap into before they are lost forever and I would encourage as many people as possible to come forward and share their experiences.”
The project, which begins next month with Armagh Gaol, will film ex-prisoners, wardens, doctors, teachers and visitors, in a bid to create the archive examining all sides of the North’s contested past.
Stories will also be collected in future from Long Kesh, Crumlin Road and Magilligan in Co Derry.
Grant aid has been provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
A permanent home for the archive, which will be open to the public and used for educational purposes, has yet to be decided.
Mr McLaughlin stressed the value of the project.
“It is very important to the process of understanding our contested past.”
“Thousands of people experienced the prisons, but their stories and memories have often remained hidden.”
