The following letter has been sent from Scottish CND to Amnesty International we would be grateful if anyone can raise this issue with their MP, Amnesty, etc. The Scottish Office Minister responsible, Henry McLeish MP can be contacted by fax on 0131 244 2756.
Amnesty International
99-119 Roseberry Avenue
London
EC1R 4RE
21st September 1998
Mistreatment of prisoners of conscience at Cornton Vale Scotland
I am writing to express my deep concern at the brutal treatment inflicted on five women prisoners of conscience in Cornton Vale prison in Scotland.
Hannah Jarvinen and Katri Silvonen from Finland, Angie Zelter and Helen John from England, and Krista Van Veltzen from the Netherlands are all on remand in Cornton Vale following anti-nuclear protests against Trident at Faslane in August. During these non-violent protests they made it clear at all times that they were upholding international law and not breaking the law.
They had all intended to hold a fast in prison on Saturday at the time when the fourth Trident submarine, Vengeance, was launched at Barrow in Furness. Their cells were searched on Friday night and a banner was discovered.
Prison wardens then strip searched all five women. Helen John, Angie Zelter and Katri Silvonen were then threatened by prison staff who said "get up and walk out or we will hurt you". Angie Zelter and Katri Silvonen were then assaulted by prison staff. Angie spent the night naked and in pain in solitary confinement in a punishment cell. The others were also held in solitary confinement in punishment cells.
The prisoners have also been deprived of access to personal cash for the remainder of their time on remand and deprived of recreation for five days.
I find it appalling that prisoners of conscience should be assaulted by wardens and subjected to such degrading and humiliating treatment in a Scottish prison. I would be grateful if you could investigate this incident.
Yours sincerely,
Rev John Ainslie Administrator Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.