Founded 1980
Chair:        
Secretary: 
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Graham Smith
Jan Thompson
Graham Mumby-Croft


An Explosion of Evil

1st APRIL 1990 will be written Into the history books of the Prison Service, as It was on that day that 'all hall was let loose' at HMP Manchester, and we all witnessed the scenes on our television screens. For days the rioting Inmates set on the roof of the wing after having destroyed much of the external fabric. What they had accomplished Inside thee the prison we are not to know, but we can only assume that It Is In a terrible state. The Press and Media of course had a 'field day' and one feerls certain they enjoyed it all. It enabled them to print rumour after rumour, without any facts at all and, Whilst a large section of the Public no doubt believed what they were told, those of us who have dealt with journalists would have recognised much of their efforts as simple muck stirring - the art of which they are masters.

Eventually the truth will be found by the enquiry due to be carried out by Lord Justice Woolf, but it remains to be seen if the Public will be given all the facts. It will I suppose depend upon who is found to be at fault. Should il be political misjudgment it is doubtful indeed if all the facts will be made public.

However, whatever the findings are, we can be certain that the Govemor and his stall will come out blameless. I watched almost every news report throughout the terrible ordeal and then nothing but admiration for Brendan O'Frlel and his entire staff. His own personal 'performance' on the screen showed him to be a man of courage, intelligence and patience. His ability to control the situation and, at the same time, 'tame· the Media was in the best traditions of the Service and he must have been admired throughout the land as a professional who knows what prisons and prisoners are all about. He was, of course, backed up by a first class team of assistants and uniformed staff and, whilst I am In no position to judge, I know from my own time at Manchester that the Strangeways staff would have backed him 'to the hilt' and would have carried out their duties with courage and, yes, a certain amount of humour

We must awalf his lordship's report, but I know you will all wish to join me in congratulating Brendan and his entire staff on the way they handled their terrifying experience. I only hope this will be appreciated by those In 'seats of power' when they deliberate upon the future administration of our penal establishments. All I can say on this point Is that It will be 'God help us' should they ever be sold off to private enterprise and administered from afar by people with no practical experience. AND THIS COULD HAPPEN.


Congratulations Brendan and our thanks to you and all the lads at Strangeways for the way you all dealt with the troubles. I ask your forgiveness lor using your own description of the riot as the title of this article.


Arthur Williamson

Arthur Williamson