Press Releases & Updates 1999

Prison Complaints Commission Recommendation Sidestepped

SPS Chief Executive EW Frizzell has rejected a recommendation from the Scottish Prison Complaints Commission to issue an unreserved formal apology to Trident Ploughshares campaigner Angie Zelter, following her mistreatment, along with three other women activists, at the hands of Cornton Vale staff in September 1998.

JJ McManus, the Commissioner, had indicated that staff had used “unnecessary force” in dealing with Angie’s passive resistance during a prison based protest against the launch of the UK’s fourth Trident submarine. In his reply to the Commissioner Mr. Frizzell claims that Angie was partly responsible for what happened. He expresses some regret at the distress caused but his reply falls far short of an unreserved apology.

The SPS had already accepted two other recommendations from Mr. McManus: to provide training for staff in dealing with passive resistance and to arrange that clothing designed for the prevention of suicide be only issued to prisoners at risk.

Angie said:

When Mr. Frizzell talks about me being partly responsible he reminds me of those judges who used to blame victims in rape cases of being in the wrong place or wearing the wrong clothes. All he needs to say directly to me is ‘ We were in the wrong. I am sorry that we used unnecessary force and I am sorry for the distress we caused you.

Angie criticised the methods of restraint that are currently used and approved by the SPS:

The authorities admit that the restraint procedures depend on the use or threat of pain to achieve compliance. What experienced was violence and intimidation, both verbal and physical.

Trident Ploughshares 2000 wants to ensure decent treatment for the other peace activists who are likely to be sent to Cornton Vale as the campaign intensifies. There is also concern for all women prisoners and the hope that the light the incident has shed on the regime in Cornton Vale will lead to further enquiry and the necessary reforms.

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