The End of Special Category Status

In 1976, the British government ended the Special Category Status for prisoners in Northern Ireland. This status had previously allowed prisoners to be treated similarly to prisoners of war, rather than as common criminals. The end of this status led to a series of protests by prisoners, beginning indirectly with the 'blanket' and 'dirty' protests.

The Protests Begin

The first of these protests was the 'blanket' protest, where prisoners refused to wear prison uniforms and instead draped themselves in blankets. This was followed by the 'dirty' protest, where prisoners smeared the walls of their cells with excrement.

Impact and Legacy

The protests were a significant event in the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and led to the hunger strikes of the early 1980s. The end of Special Category Status is seen by some as a turning point in the conflict, marking a hardening of attitudes on both sides.