Figure 1 The Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has led to enforced self-isolation.
This is a graphic showing a group of white figures on the left and one single red figure on the right.This is a graphic showing a group of white figures on the left and one single red figure on the right.Take a moment to watch this short BBC film which outlines some of the social distancing measures introduced by the United Kingdom (UK) Government in March 2020, in response to COVID-19. The restrictions you experience will vary depending on which country you live in, where in that country you live, your occupation, your age, your health, your income and other aspects of your personal situation. You may find yourself somewhere on the spectrum from denial to acceptance of these new restrictions, the loss of freedom and control over your life, and to the uncertainty this brings. Living in this new normal, you may wonder how others adjusted to enforced isolation and confinement in the past and what solace they may offer. In this short course, you will hear the thoughts of Michael, an Irish Republican, and David, a Loyalist, who were imprisoned as a result of the conflict in and about Northern Ireland. In this context, the term Loyalist refers to those who want Northern Ireland to remain a part of the United Kingdom. Historically, Loyalists supported the use of physical force where necessary to defend the union of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The term Republican refers to those who seek to end the partition of Ireland and who wish to bring about the reunification of the island of Ireland. Republicans have also historically supported the use of physical force where necessary to achieve this.Between them, David and Michael spent 28 years in confinement or isolation in the Maze and Long Kesh prison in Northern Ireland. David and Michael are co-producing this course with The Open University (OU). They are also contributors to The Open University’s Time to Think archive. This is a digital oral history archive documenting the educational life journeys of those involved in Open University education in British and Irish prisons during the years of conflict (1972–2000).As you progress in this course, you will be guided through the transition from freedom to lockdown or confinement. You will be introduced to strategies and structures for using your time and invited to explore, adventure and escape through your mind. You will discover ways to reframe this situation and become agents of positive change in your own lives and the lives of others. You will also be able to listen to the stories of other men and women who spent years in British and Irish prisons during the conflict, and how they coped by using their minds and skills they developed primarily through informal and/or formal education.But first, take a moment to reflect on your current situation. What resources do you have that can assist you in adjusting to the ‘new normal’ of life under COVID-19?Activity 1 Reflection on how you are adjusting to the new normalIn the box below note down your thoughts on the following (no more than 150 words).How do you feel about the new restrictions you are facing?Can you think of any parallels with other times in your life where you spent a period of time alone, or with limited contact with others, that required personal adjustments?Were there any skills you developed then that might assist you with coping today? You may have thought about your feelings when you had the flu, the measles or where you kept away from others or spent time alone in hospital; how you felt when you first moved away from home, emigrated, or started at a new school, or job or going to university or retirement.For you and many others, life under the new restrictions of COVID-19 may feel like a strange or even frightening situation. It also presents all sort of challenges and opportunities. You may be facing different rules, new ways of living whether alone or with others, restrictions on your movement, a decrease in personal space, new modes of social interaction or new power relationships. You may have discovered your own ways of coping, some negative and some positive. You will have a chance to reflect on your answer at the end of this course and to add some new skills and ideas to help you through these challenging times. 1 Learning from the past: coping with confinement through education
Figure 2 Time to Think
This is an illustration of a book with ‘OU’ written on it, against some barbed wire. The words ‘Time to Think’ appear at the top of the image.This is an illustration of a book with ‘OU’ written on it, against some barbed wire. The words ‘Time to Think’ appear at the top of the image.You may find parallels between your experiences of isolation and the experiences of individuals and groups of people who have lived through other forms of forced confinement and isolation. In 2010, The Open University (OU) began collecting the oral histories of Loyalist and Republican OU students in British and Irish prisons during the years of conflict, 1972–2000. The OU also collected the stories of OU tutors and office staff, prison education staff and prison governors, reflecting on their educational journeys with The Open University during this time. You can explore The Open University Ireland archive, which is called Time to Think at the following link: Time to Think archive. Next, you will watch a short film, made for the Time to Think archive launch in 2019, about how people used education to help them cope with confinement and isolation. Take some notes as you go along about what ideas it sparks for you. Activity 2 Time to thinkNow watch the film Time to Think.
Video 1: Time to Think
Video 1 transcript (Word document)Answer the following questions:What struck you most about these stories?Can you make any connections between these experiences and your own experiences of confinement?What could you do with your own time to think? 2 Going into lockdownOne of the issues in the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 is that there is no determinate end to isolation. This is very different from coping with change for a fixed period of time. Imagine for example, if you have to leave your home for 3 or 4 weeks due to emergency repairs, because of damage, a fire or a flood. You can count the days to getting back to normality. But for many of us living through this global pandemic, there is no end date in sight. So how can you cope with this kind of uncertainty? For people like David and Michael, who faced indeterminate prison sentences as a result of the conflict, learning how to cope with uncertainty was essential. Take a moment to read their reflections on how they felt in those early days of confinement. Reflection 1: David
Figure 3 David in the Compounds
This is an illustration of a man in a prison compound, sitting on a bench reading a book.This is an illustration of a man in a prison compound, sitting on a bench reading a book.My name is David. I am a Loyalist ex-prisoner. I was born in Belfast in Northern Ireland and entered prison in the late 1970s when I was aged 19. After a time on remand in Crumlin Road Gaol I served over 12 years as a special category [de facto prisoner of war status] prisoner in Long Kesh [The Maze and Long Kesh prison] where I gained an Honours Degree in Psychology with The Open University. I remember the feeling at the beginning of an indeterminate sentence. There was no release date. The years just stretched off into the distance. No one else to talk to. No one knew. Staying here until the troubles are over. 20 years? Maybe more. A slow knot of worry starting to rise in the stomach. But there are many like me. If they can survive, so can I. But how do you measure off time. By day, week or year? There was no point in looking to the future. A forlorn hope. Pointless. Focus on the here and now. What can I do now to get this day over and let tomorrow worry about itself? It was like slowly going out to sea. I could see the land behind me, freedom, my world, a normal life. But the boat kept going out. Further and further until I could see no land. Just the endless expanse of ocean. Featureless, with no idea of when I would see land again.‘Settle yourself’, the old hands would say. Get busy. The more you do the quicker time goes. When will this be over? I don’t know. But some day it will be over. I will prepare for that time.Reflection 2: Michael
Figure 4 Michael in the H Block
This is an illustration of a man reading in his prison cell.This is an illustration of a man reading in his prison cell.My name is Michael and I am a Republican ex-prisoner from Belfast in the North of Ireland. I was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1979 and after a time on remand in Crumlin Road Gaol, I spent 16 years in the H Blocks, Long Kesh Prison. For the last 9 years of imprisonment I was an Open University student, gaining a degree and diploma in adult education. I was also heavily involved in the informal Republican education system in prison. It was in my head that should I ever be released, that I would like to teach in adult education. That is exactly what I got to do. I was 28 years old, married and employed as a social worker and facing an indeterminate prison sentence. My wife was a teacher and we had two young sons. I did not have the language for it then but unquestionably I was traumatised by the whole experience of arrest, interrogation, charging and imprisonment. I had been thrust into a new world and, with my package of responsibilities I had to maintain what control I could under the circumstances. I could not go home – a natural want. Nor could I influence the ‘high level’ rules of the place I was in. But I could survive if I followed the ‘low level’ rules of the other prisoners, who like me were all more or less new to this situation but with a little more experience of it. I had been a political activist for most of my adult life – marginal civil rights participant, community activist in my area when the conflict began- basically a person who could read situations quite well. I was determined to hold onto that mindset of activism as much as possible in prison. I developed my own mechanisms for coping, learned some from my fellow prisoners and in general terms lived for and in the day I was.Next you will listen to an audio conversation between David and Michael recorded remotely in April 2020. In this conversation, they discuss their experiences of going into confinement in the past and reflect on living under the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. They describe what if felt like physically and emotionally when first held on remand in Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast in the 1970s. They also talk about some of the more challenging aspects of those first few days as they waited to find out what their future held.Activity 3 Facing isolation for the first timeNow listen to the audio recording with David and Michael.Please note that the conversation was recorded online.
Audio 1: Facing isolation for the first time
Audio 1 transcript (Word document)Having listened to this conversation, do you notice any similarities with how you are feeling now or felt when you first went into social isolation or lockdown? How has your life changed since lockdown? What adjustments have you made, if any, to cope with your changed living situation?3 Adjusting to the ‘new normal’
Figure 5 The road ahead …
This is a photograph of an empty road.This is a photograph of an empty road.Over time you, along with millions of people around the world, will have learned new ways of coping with the challenges of social isolation and social distancing imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These may include adjusting to living in close quarters with others, losing privacy, and living under new rules. Some of these rules are externally imposed by the state or government of the country you live in. Others are created by you or those you live with, in order to keep you safe or to make co-habiting under current restrictions more manageable.You will now listen to a second audio. In this conversation between Michael and David, they reflect on some on ways in which adapted to cope with those first few days in isolation. Activity 4 Adjusting to isolation and confinement
Audio 2: Adjusting to isolation and confinement
Audio 2 transcript (Word document)Take a moment to reflect on some of the ways in which you are adapting to make your new living situation easier for you and/or for those who live with you. Have you experienced any examples of support from others or provided support yourself? Everyone’s ways of adapting will be different. You may have considered some of the following adjustments. Changing old routines and creating new onesTaking on slightly different rolesMaking an extra effort to be kind to people Making space for and give way to others before they need to askYou may have already surprised yourself with the resources you have both individually and as a family, household or community. You may also find the following advice helpful as you continue to adjust to this new normal and the uncertainty it brings.Some thoughts to keep hold of: It’s okay to feel scared. Remember that many other people are also going through this. Find ways to stay connected with friends or your local community or to make new friends.Take one day at a time.Remember your sense of humour.Remember your own skills and resources Above all- understand why you are doing this and why it matters – this is not just for you, this is for the general good.Now listen to the final audio in this session. Here David and Michael reflect back on their time ‘inside’ and offer some final words of advice, having emerged the other side of this experience.
Audio 3: No end in sight
Audio 3 transcript (Word document)4 Summary of Session 1That is the end of Session 1. During this session you have:reflected on the existing skills and resources you have for coping with changelistened to the experiences of others who faced lockdown in the past and the advice they can offerconsidered different ways of adjusting to this ‘new normal’learned about the educational experiences of Open University students in British and Irish prisons during the years in conflict.In Session 2 you will hear more from David and Michael on learning to live in a ‘new normal’. Drawing on their experiences, you will explore practical ways in which you can begin to structure and manage your time and space to regain some control over your life. Protecting your mental health and wellbeingMany of us will experience slight increases in anxiety in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, or we may feel that mood is a bit lower than usual. Both may be considered to be normal reactions to the dramatic change in circumstances, brought about by COVID-19 and the lockdown. However, if you experience a significant increase in your levels of anxiety, or if you notice that your mood feels much lower than usual, you should take action to safeguard your mental health. Consider these points of contact:Your GP. Most GPs are currently offering telephone or online appointments, so you can talk to your GP without going to the surgery. They can provide information about possible medication and about counselling. A counsellor. Many counselling agencies and private practitioners are currently offering online and telephone support. You can use a Google search to help find counsellors in your area.A telephone helpline. If life feels like a struggle, or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, it can be good to talk to someone and helplines can offer valuable support. UK information:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/lifeline-freephone-helplineUK helplines:https://www.samaritans.org/https://www.lifelinehelpline.info/You can now go to Session 2.Session 2: Life in a ‘new normal’Introduction
Figure 1 Man plays guitar while his neighbour watches during COVID-19 Pandemic, Turin, Italy 2020
This is a photograph of a man standing on a balcony, playing the guitar. His neighbour looks on.This is a photograph of a man standing on a balcony, playing the guitar. His neighbour looks on.In this second session of the course, you will consider the impact of both time and space on your experience of confinement during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and explore ways of gaining some control and agency over your situation. Where you live and the space you live in will significantly shape your experience of social distancing and isolation and your ways of coping during the pandemic. Some of you may be living on your own. Others may live in shared accommodation, with extended family, friends or even strangers in institutions or other group settings. You may be in a city, in a high-rise building or a flat with little or no outdoor space. Or you may be in a village or the countryside with a garden or even some land and the additional freedoms this offers. Wherever you live, and however long you are in isolation, there are inventive ways to make the most of the space you are in and the time you have.Course co-producers and Open University graduates, Michael, a Republican ex-prisoner and David, a Loyalist ex-prisoner, draw on their past experiences of confinement to suggest strategies for living with this ‘new normal’. These include discovering your hidden strengths, structuring your time and connecting with others.The following short film, recorded in March 2020, shows some of the ways in which people in Italy responded to confinement under COVID-19, through music and song.Watch the film at the following link: BBC film.Activity 1 Reflecting on the value of communityTake a moment to reflect on your own situation.Has any act of community solidarity inspired you recently? This could be something you have taken part in, or something you saw or heard others do.Did that action change how you felt or feel or about your sense of social isolation and, if so, in what ways?By the end of this session, you should be able to:consider ways of reframing how you think about isolation and confinementreflect on the ways of regaining some control and agencyexplore practical ways in which you can begin to structure and use your timeconsider different ways in which you can stay connected while apartknow more about the experiences of Loyalist and Republican Open University students in the Maze and Long Kesh prison during the years of conflict in Northern Ireland.1 The confines of space and time
Figure 2 Exterior of a compound, The Maze and Long Kesh prison.
This is an image of a Nissen hut in the compounds at the Maze and Long Kesh prisonThis is an image of a Nissen hut in the compounds at the Maze and Long Kesh prison
Figure 3 Interior of H Block cell
This is a photograph of the interior of a cell in the H Blocks showing a window and a bed. This is a photograph of the interior of a cell in the H Blocks showing a window and a bed. During the thirty years of conflict in and about Northern Ireland (1969–2000), most people arrested under Emergency Powers were held on remand in Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast while they awaited sentencing, as you heard from Michael and David in Session 1. Loyalists and Republicans who were given indeterminate sentences experienced a range of living conditions in prison. In the Maze and Long Kesh Prison for example, some men lived in political groups in what were known as Compounds or Cages. These were old British army Nissen huts (left over after the Second World War), each containing up to 30 men and separated by fencing and razor wire from other huts in the prison. After 1976 others lived in individual cells in what were known as the H Blocks, given this name because each block was constructed in the shape of the letter H. In the following audio recording of a conversation between Michael and David, they discuss their experience of these different living conditions – David in the Compounds or Cages and Michael in the H Blocks. Now listen to the following audio conversation, taking some notes as you go along:
Audio 1: Life in the Compounds and H Blocks of Maze and Long Kesh
Audio 1 transcript (Word document)Activity 2 Having listened to the audio, answer the following questions:What struck you most about this discussion?What similarities or differences do you notice with your own experience of confinement?How you respond to your new situation is likely to be shaped by your life experience and your world view. Like all of us, you will all have different attitudes, backgrounds and experiences – good and bad – and in times of duress, you may find these come to the surface. Some of you may already have experiences of dealing with adversity or extreme situations. For others this may be an entirely new experience. One of the challenges with a novel situation like the COVID-19 pandemic, is finding ways of making sense of the profound changes you are living through.1.1 Transition and changeAll of us are likely to go through a period of transition as we come to terms with this’ new normal’. For David, whose OU honours degree was in Psychology, transition and change theories (Kübler-Ross, 1969 and Hopson and Adams, 1975) proved useful as a way of thinking about the different stages he went through during his confinement. Transition theory offers a psychological framework for understanding human response to bereavement, grief and other profound life changes.
Figure 4 ‘Transition phases’, adapted by David Smyth (2020) from Kübler-Ross, 1969 and Hopson and Adams, 1975, p. 13)
This is a graph showing a process of transition over time from shock to recovery This is a graph showing a process of transition over time from shock to recovery David used transition theory and the different phases in this diagram, to make sense of his own experiences in the following way:Shock /disbelief: My arrest and imprisonment were sudden and unexpected. I experienced trauma and shock as I realised I was being held in a very volatile and severe environment.Denial/initial adjusting: After a short period, I entered a ‘honeymoon’ period or one of denial. I got used to the new routines and adapted quickly to what was needed. However, as time went on and there was no foreseeable end to this stage of life.Uncertainty/Depression: I entered a downward spiral as I came to realise, I was here for a long time. I felt like there was no preparing for tomorrow. No planning ahead. I had to just take each day as it came.Reconciling: At some point there is a bottoming out or turning point where you ‘let go of the old’. For me, this was my trial, where I was found guilty. While unhappy, I could now settle into a new way of life. New routines of my making included undertaking an Open University degree and A levels, art and craft work and physical training.Recovery: After a short while I realised, I was making positive inroads into my life situation; regaining confidence and control, learning new ways and a ‘new normal’.Activity 3 Reflecting on your journeyLooking at the adapted ‘Transition phases’ graph (Figure 4), where do you see yourself at the moment in this process?How might you move yourself to the next stage?Thinking about your inner resources, how can you use these current skills or some of the tips and guidance in this course, to help with this process?2 Strategies for managing time and space
Figure 5 The passing of time
This is a photograph of an hourglass.This is a photograph of an hourglass.I think of the mystery of times passage. There are minutes and hours which have no end: the eternity of the instant. There are many empty hours … endless days; and weeks which pass without leaving the least memory behind them, as if they had never been.(Victor Serge, 1931)These words by the Russian revolutionary, Victor Serge (1890–1947) may strike a chord with some of you. Serge spent many years in solitary confinement for his political beliefs. This quote was chosen by David from a book he read during his own imprisonment, to explain the ‘elasticity of time’ he experienced. Dealing with this elasticity of time is also one of the challenges of life under COVID-19 restrictions. Days and weeks may feel like they merge into one. Managing this time along with the pressures of life in new or confined spaces, alone or with others may require new strategies. In the following reflections, Michael and David describe how they responded to their new lives in the Maze and Long Kesh prison. David had Special Category Status (SCS) which was given to those charged with political offences under British Emergency Powers from 1972, until it was withdrawn by the British Government in 1976 leading to political protests. Michael reflects on his experiences in complete lockdown in the H Blocks, during Irish Republican protests to regain political status after 1976. David also reflects on his experience of solitary confinement while in the Compounds. Each found different ways to reframe their situation, discovered hidden strengths and learned new ways of making the situation work for them. Now read their reflections.Reflection by Michael: Thinking communally not individually
Figure 6 Michael in the H Block
This is an illustration of a man reading in his prison cell This is an illustration of a man reading in his prison cell During the conflict not all people imprisoned succeeded in coping, or in coping all of the time. But many did cope, and many did for most of the time. So, Republican prisoners were not mentally a homogenous group. Just like all in society today. Much of the coping depended on themselves and the package of their individuality but the latter was also somewhat dependent on other support mechanisms such as their multiple belief systems – micro in that their girlfriends, wives/ families supported them, that God would assist, macro in that the Republican Movement was there to support them, that the struggle would soon be finished and the’ Brits’ would be ‘out’, that they would eventually escape and so on. I know many men who fitted into many of these categories. But eventually the initial thinking had to change, and men had to begin thinking differently. This will be the same today – as attitudes change with the receipt of new knowledge and general acceptance sets in. Some did not in the past and found imprisonment very difficult. Mindset was vital and for me and many others this meant focussing on the political rather than the personal and on finding opportunities to take back some form of agency and control. Prisoners sentenced under British Government Emergency Powers and given indeterminate sentences were different than ordinary prisoners. We had normally been in jail for at least one year prior to sentence so were used to prison and routines etc. We had either had grown stronger or weaker as result of that year. We were certainly not the same people as who had come into jail a year earlier. We may have been in prison alone, but we were part of a community.Several weeks now into that lockdown, many of us were changing our approaches in order to adapt to the new ways. Some of us, for example, joined the blanket protest [a 5 year protest for rights and recognition as political prisoners]. We knew the deprivations ahead – solitary confinement, no sanitary conditions, no visits or contact with friends, families and very bad relationships with those in control/power. This led to a oneness of goal, a set mindset, similar strong ideological grounding (based on a political understanding of our situation). We recognised the long- term costs/benefits of our decisions, potential outcomes and decided on a course of action. The same can be seen today. At first people may be primarily focussed on their own situation including for their immediate families – more ‘self-centred’ perhaps. They may not see themselves as part of the wider community or society, with broader responsibilities. They may want to go out with friends, ignore recommendations to wash your hands. Over time, as it becomes clear to people that by working collectively, we are stronger, the development of a broader social loyalty may begin to kick in (instead of being imposed). This should allow that unit to feel part of the broader positive activity. Reflection by David: Solitary is what you make it
Figure 7 David in the Compounds
This is an illustration of a man in a prison compound, sitting on a bench reading a book This is an illustration of a man in a prison compound, sitting on a bench reading a book It was towards the end of my time that I ended up on ‘the boards’ [slang for concrete/wooden plinth lying on the floor in place of a bed/mattress] or in solitary confinement. The cell measured 10 feet by 6. No TV, no radio, no books. Nothing. In the morning the screws [slang for prison officers] came and took out the mattress leaving a concrete plinth. There was no chair. The day was divided up by mealtimes. Of course, we had no watch, clock, etc to mark out time. Maybe that was a good thing. By sheer luck I had tried yoga in the compound and liked it. Now was a good time to practise. I don’t know how but I have an ability to lie on any surface and go to sleep. So, I was able to lie on the plinth and drift off. Escape. Sleep was important as it meant escape for a while. It also marked the passing of a day. We were allowed one hour per day exercise. Again, it split the day up... Mental arithmetic was a good companion. I worked out how many times I would walk round the cell to do 10 miles. I imagined I was walking from Belfast to Bangor. Took a while but got there. Could I recall all the states of America? All the football teams in the football league? Of course, I would try and go over the material I was studying at that time for the OU [Open University]. Given that I was doing Psychology and indeed Criminology, which included prisons, this helped immensely. I had read of so many other accounts by prisoners that this helped me. Jack Henry Abbot’s In the Belly of the Beast made this stay look like a souped up Butlins holiday [British seaside holiday camp]. Other supports were; that I was not on my own and that others had suffered this a lot more than me. And a good motivator for me was bloodymindness. I wasn’t going to give in. I was not going to be beaten by the system. I was so happy to receive a visit from a Presbyterian minister. He insisted I sit with him in another cell which had no heat. I still recall the blissful coolness. He even visited my parents to assure them. My biggest worry was my parents. They had no experience of me being punished in prison. I worried that they were worrying. Which they were. On the very next visit my mum was frantic to see me. My second and third times on solitary were easier. You can get used to many things. I enjoyed the chance of some down time. Peace and quiet. That’s good if your personality is that way inclined. I suspect others do not take social isolation so easily. Social isolation, like prison time, is what you make of it. The more you do, the quicker it goes. In the following audio conversation recorded in April 2020, David and Michael discuss the practical structures and strategies they found useful for managing life in their ‘new normal’, many of which may be relevant to today. Now listen to this audio:
Audio 2: Strategies for living in the ‘new normal’
Audio 2 transcript (Word document)Activity 4 What are your strategies for managing your time and space?Having read Michael’s and David’s reflections and listened to their conversation, answer the following questions:What struck you most about the ways in which they responded to their difference experiences?What strategies have you put in place to manage your time?What new ideas for managing time and space, if any, has this sparked for you?You will already have many of your own strategies for coping. You may have found ways of connecting to and being part of the wider community while in isolation and the strength this brings. Whatever you do, creating structures and routines to manage your time and ‘expand’ the space you are in, will be invaluable.3 Separated but connected
Figure 8 Rainbow symbol in a window during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a photograph of a chain of paper figures, in the different colours of the rainbow.This is a photograph of a chain of paper figures, in the different colours of the rainbow.One striking difference you may notice between the past experiences of David and Michael and those of us socially isolating under the 2020 pandemic, is the degree of isolation they faced and the limited access they had to the outside world. This degree of access we have to the outside world can make a significant difference to our sense of social isolation as do opportunities for social interaction.During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have a range of options and choices for communicating and staying connected, for example, through the internet, social media, video and audio apps. Not everyone, however, has the same levels of internet access or the skills to use these tools. Yet a range of innovative ways of communicating are emerging in countries around the world, such as displaying rainbows or hearts as symbols of hope or the use of red, amber, green cards in windows to indicate who is in need of help. Shortly you will listen to the final audio conversation in this session. Here David and Michael discuss some of the different ways they found to communicate with others, despite their isolation. They also discuss the powerful personal impact of actions by others then and now, which help to keep us all connected and know that while isolated, we are not alone.
Audio 3: Separate but connected
Audio 3 transcript (Word document)Activity 5 Staying connectedTake a moment to imagine that during the pandemic, the internet has been down for a week. Or because of your age or circumstances, you do not have the skills, means or opportunity to access the internet or a smartphone. You might like to have a conversation over the phone with someone who doesn’t use the internet or social media, to help you with this activity. Now note down your answers to the following questions. How might people connect with you in ways which do not rely on the internet? Try to list 2 or 3 suggestions.Is there anything you can do now to connect with people who may be isolated in your wider community? You might have considered a variety of ways of communicating safely, without the use of social media such as: using colour coding in windows, adapting the use of semaphore to your location, Morse code to communicate between houses using torches, collective storytelling from balconies, communal clapping, singing or more traditional mechanisms such as letter writing or landline phone calls. Some of these may provide opportunities for younger people to communicate with older relatives, neighbours or friends about what they did in the past and learning new skills.Throughout this session you have explored different strategies for adjusting to isolation and confinement, managing the ‘elasticity of time’ and staying connected. You have also had an opportunity to reflect on the resources you have individually or as a family, household or community. As you near the end of this session, here are some thoughts to keep hold of:Remember that change is challenging and you need time to adjust your mindset.Find ways to be proactive and take some control over your situation, no matter how limited. Create new routines to break up and manage your time.Keep your mind active – crosswords, learning a language, study, problem-solving. Build in some time for self-reflection to take stock. Note the victories – this could be hearing good news stories or making new contacts. Try to avoid the negative such as rolling news reports or ill-informed / irresponsible social media posts.Find creative ways for communicating with others who may be isolated in your community or elsewhere.Do something kind or useful for someone else. Making others happier will make you feel happier too! 4 Summary of Session 2In this session you have heard some thoughts from Michael and David on managing life in lockdown, based on their own experiences serving indeterminate sentences in the Maze and Long Kesh prison. You have also: considered ways of reframing how you think about isolation and confinementreflected on ways of regaining some control and agency explored practical ways in which you can begin to structure and use your timeconsidered different ways in which you can stay connected while apartlearned more about the experiences of Loyalist and Republican Open University students in the Maze and Long Kesh prison during the years of conflict. In the next Session, you will explore creative ways of escaping confinement and finding solace during isolation in these difficult times. Protecting your mental health and wellbeingMany of us will experience slight increases in anxiety in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, or we may feel that mood is a bit lower than usual. Both may be considered to be normal reactions to the dramatic change in circumstances, brought about by COVID-19 and the lockdown. However, if you experience a significant increase in your levels of anxiety, or if you notice that your mood feels much lower than usual, you should take action to safeguard your mental health. Consider these points of contact:Your GP. Most GPs are currently offering telephone or online appointments, so you can talk to your GP without going to the surgery. They can provide information about possible medication and about counselling. A counsellor. Many counselling agencies and private practitioners are currently offering online and telephone support. You can use a Google search to help find counsellors in your area.A telephone helpline. If life feels like a struggle, or if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, it can be good to talk to someone and helplines can offer valuable support. UK information:https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/lifeline-freephone-helplineUK helplines:https://www.samaritans.org/https://www.lifelinehelpline.info/You can now go to Session 3.Session 3: Our minds are always freeIntroduction
Figure 1 Wire against a blue sky, Belfast, County Antrim.
This is a photograph of a section of fence with barbed wire attached. There is blue sky in the background.This is a photograph of a section of fence with barbed wire attached. There is blue sky in the background.In this final session of the course you will explore new opportunities for using your mind and imagination during times of social isolation and confinement. During this session, course co-producers and Open University graduates, Michael, a Republican ex-prisoner and David, a Loyalist ex-prisoner, draw on their past experiences of confinement to suggest strategies for finding peace of mind and embarking on new discoveries. You will also hear stories from Open University students in the Time to Think archive, who used education for solace and escape while in prison during the years of conflict. A recurring theme throughout this session is the power of human resilience in times of adversity, our abilities to problem solve, and the importance of hope in driving us forward. The poem ‘Don’t quit’, written in 1921 by the British born American poet Edgar Guest (1881–1959), has inspired and motivated many people through difficult times. It also featured in a short film by the BBC released in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this film the poem is read by the British actor Idris Elba. Now take a moment to watch the short film: Bringing us closer. You can also read a full version of Guest’s poem.Activity 1 Reflecting on what inspires or motivates youNote down your reflections, in response to the following questions, in the box below. What was your reaction to this short film? Is there a line in the poem that speaks to you in your situation?What have you found most surprising, hopeful or inspirational during the COVID-19 Pandemic?List one thing, no matter how small, that has helped you through this or other difficult times. 1 Living with loss in all its forms
Figure 2 Image of rainbow symbols.
This is a montage of images featuring rainbowsThis is a montage of images featuring rainbowsIn the dark reality of COVID-19 with its high human cost, finding inspiration, mutual support and creative communal solutions is more important than ever. One of the most painful losses many people have experienced is losing a loved one during lockdown, whether as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, or due to other causes. When in social isolation, for example, it may not be possible to spend time with a loved one who is dying. Under new restrictions it may not be possible to mourn or mark their death in accordance with traditional religious or belief systems in ways that a family or community wishes. Yet under COVID-19, alternative rituals have also emerged as people find new ways to bear witness to the lives and deaths of those they have known. In some communities neighbours and friends pay their respects from afar, standing on their doorsteps as the funeral car passes, rather than walking behind the hearse and attending the funeral service. Letters and cards have replaced actually being there, hugging and shaking hands with the bereaved ones. Communal prayer services are conducted on video conferencing apps such as Zoom in which hundreds of people can take part to provide love and support. In other cases, memorials are live-streamed on private YouTube channels. Promises are made to celebrate the lives of loved ones at an unspecified future date.In 2020, more generally, our social way of life has changed significantly. Personal freedom, for example, can often be taken for granted, particularly by those living in Western democracies. For a significant period of time, losing the freedom to choose what you do, where you go, with whom you spend time and with whom you don’t, can be challenging. Friendships or relationships may shift and your horizons may feel narrower due to the confines of the physical space you are in. Coping with loss in all its forms and finding new ways of being and of doing things, is both a challenge and an opportunity for all of us during the COVID-19 pandemic. Activity 2 Reflecting on change and renewalNote down your responses to the following questions:Take a moment to reflect on some of the rituals that you notice have changed or been lost, during the pandemic.Can you think of either any alternative rituals or a new ways of doing things to cope with this loss that have emerged? 1.1 Helping the passage of timeOne of the ways of coping in times of adversity such as these, is through activities which not only pass the time, but help to expand the limitations of the space you are in. You can also develop skills for use in the future, when the constraints are lifted, and where new ideas and abilities are needed. In the following reflections, David and Michael outline some of the ways they maintained their physical and mental wellbeing while in isolation and confinement. Reflection: David
Figure 3 David in the Compounds
This is an illustration of a man in a prison compound, sitting on a bench reading a book This is an illustration of a man in a prison compound, sitting on a bench reading a book Different people can take different views on coping with the loss of freedom, depending on their outlook. There is denial. Pretend It isn’t happening. There is diversion. Just keep doing something else. There is clinging to hope. Something will turn up. And there is rationalisation. I am in this position because…There is coping by knowing you are in a group going through the same experience. I see parallels on a social level with today. For me, reading was very important. Some of us set up our own book club. We would buy jointly then share the books. Reading was a means of escaping the immediate situation. I recall on different occasions of reading a book through from start to finish in one go. One such book was Hugh Trevor Roper’s, The last days of Hitler – an amazing story and well written. In hospital one time I had The Crossman Diaries and The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn which passed many hours. Then I had the Open University material. I’m not sure how my interest in Psychology developed but it was interesting and could be related to my situation of imprisonment. Even more useful and tangible was the Social Sciences course on the justice system. It dealt with police, law, courts and prison. The OU was a means to structure time. It was learning and it was challenging and constructive. Many hours were used up in typing (I learned to type in prison) various essays. There were experiments. I once taught fish to learn the difference between colours and shapes! There was always an ongoing battle between myself and the prison authority but especially the security department. I had a lot of problems getting books into prison. Quite often I had to lodge a written submission to the governor. This was mostly turned down on security grounds which could not be challenged or explained. I finally decided that I had nothing to lose and made a written request for the book Pole Vaulting for Amateurs. I didn’t even get a reply to that one! Books on hypnosis were strictly forbidden. Another aspect to my day to day routine was artwork. There was a huge resource of talent in the cage [Compound]. I learned to paint on glass which became my preferred art mode. I also dyed leather, completed pencil drawings, dabbled with oil and water colours and painted large scale murals on the walls of the hut.Reflection: Michael
Figure 4 Michael in the H Block
This is an illustration of a man reading in his prison cell This is an illustration of a man reading in his prison cell When in prison, we lived according to a routine, which mostly was of our own invention. For example, get up early and get a few hours reading/studying done – breakfast, exercise, some social interactions, food, back to reading or OU essay/note reading in prep for essay. Most Open University courses allowed for a lot of ‘supplementary’ reading which could always be incorporated into formal work. I found it amazing that even reading fiction could assist in getting essays done. I found that in studying Arts, psychology and particularly Social sciences – almost anything in the world became relevant to the courses I was doing.I was initially reluctant to do the ‘Arts’ course, but basically I had no option. So I went for it. From literally nowhere I got insights I never had – not only into how to interpret things – but how to view the world from slightly differing view points. Doing other courses under Social Sciences had opened my eyes but this Arts course brought things home to me. I see that as something like Woody Allen’s comments about having read the book Animal Farm. He said he enjoyed it – ‘it was all about pigs’. Well I suppose that if we take away the exaggeration, that could have been me as a younger man taking things at a face value instead of looking to see if there is hidden meaning – even in jokes. It is obvious when you think about ‘sarcasm’ or ‘irony’ – how do they really work if you don’t know that the meaning is not really in the words used? When I read Umberto Eco’s book The Name of the Rose I then read up on the author Eco and found out about semiotics/semiology – the interpretation of signs/hidden signs or signals which are all around us. Fascinating learning there for me. Studying the Arts also led me onto dabbling in artwork – painting, developing my calligraphy writing abilities – all as a result of my developed interest in these things I used to have no interest in.Of course, in tandem with me as a student escaping through my mind, as a political prisoner my thoughts were also on real escape. Today is very different for us all in that the confinement is for our benefit and I see the ‘isolation’ as a positive – full of opportunity to try new things. I have already pretty much got new daily routines – though I have to consciously think and remember them – but I am coping OK given that I am fortunate enough to have a mobile phone, computer and TV – many do not.Not everyone has the desire to broaden their outlooks on the world by reading, studying or whatever, but most people do interact with matters other than the humdrum of their own lifestyles. They watch TV, shop, read etc. So I would suggest to people –be open to alternatives – try learning something new. You might be would be amazed at what you will find and where it will take you. In the following conversation, Michael and David discuss the creative ways in which they passed time, found peace of mind and ways to escape, while in lockdown in the 1970s and 1980s.Now listen to Audio 1.
Audio 1: Your mind is always free
Audio 1 transcript (Word document)Activity 3 Using your mind for solace and escapeHaving listened to the audio, try to answer the following questions:What most sparked your interest in this discussion between David and Michael? Was there anything that surprised you? Were there any ideas that were relevant to your situation today? You may have been interested in how David and Michael continued to develop themselves personally and politically during their imprisonment and how they expanded their horizons through their imagination and ideas. They also highlighted: the value of shared storytellingthe power of a good book to take you elsewherethe importance of a longer-term project to pass the time, to provide a sense of purpose and develop new skills.In David and Michael’s case, who both faced many years in prison, this involved undertaking a degree with The Open University. But any level of formal education from a short course to a full degree can be beneficial. Another point mentioned in the discussion above was the role of time management. This will now be explored in more detail in the next section.2 Structure and freedomWhen you are on the dance floor, there is nothing to do but dance.(Umberto Eco)The quote above was selected by Michael, as one way of thinking about and responding to situations which may be beyond our control. It is from the 2004 book The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, by Umberto Eco – an author Michael discovered while studying Arts with The Open University. When faced with loss and the challenge this brings, most people can and do find a way to adapt and survive. Part of this involves accepting the things you can’t do anything about and focussing on the things you can. Throughout this course Michael and David have discussed the value of structuring your time and building your own routine to regain control over some aspects of your life, and with this find some freedom. In the Maze and Long Kesh prison during the years of conflict, prison life was strictly controlled by the internal prison authorities and external British Government policies. Yet, within the Compounds or Cages and the H Blocks, there were always ways and opportunities to regain some degree of freedom. One way was to divide up the day into morning, afternoon and evening. In the sketch below, David outlines a typical weekly schedule he used to structure his time while in the Loyalist Compound, Compound 21 (C21) of the Maze and Long Kesh prison.
Figure 5 Weekly schedule circa 1982 by David Smyth
This is a handwritten weekly schedule. Each day is broken up into morning, afternoon and evening, with lock up at 9pm. It contains activities such as ‘study hut’, ‘visit’, ‘letters’ and ‘walk’.This is a handwritten weekly schedule. Each day is broken up into morning, afternoon and evening, with lock up at 9pm. It contains activities such as ‘study hut’, ‘visit’, ‘letters’ and ‘walk’.Michael also highlights the value of creating a routine, especially within the extreme restrictions of his imprisonment in the H Blocks of the Maze and Long Kesh during the years of political protests from 1976 to 1981. One aspect of his routine included a communal event to look forward to at the end of the day such as shared storytelling through the cell doors (or the creative retelling of books people had once read), as you heard in Audio 1. Below is a list of tips from David and Michael, for activities which helped their mental and physical wellbeing during long periods of confinement. Some were mentioned in Audio 1 above. Others are highlighted elsewhere in this course. Take a moment to read the list of activities below. MindChallenge yourself and broaden your horizons.Learn a new skill: a language, knitting, painting, gardening.With a new language, practice your skills by speaking it out loud. Undertake new routines/schedules.Take journeys in your mind to keep your memory sharp. Going to the seaside for a summer day as a child. Walking around the streets or areas you lived. Try to picture all the different shops, the houses, the street names. Go through a favourite book or film and trying to recall the different scenes. Set your own quizzes. Name all the states in USA. Name all counties in Ireland. Think of all the football teams in England. How many animals can you name that start with letter b, c, etc. Try meditation or mindfulness.Consider a short course or other forms of education. BodyInclude physical activity in your daily routine. Take the opportunity to exercise outside if restrictions allow. Exercise indoors, you can use whatever you have around you to exercise to the best of your ability – lifting cans of food as weights, walk up and down the stairs, sits ups in the living room, lifting cans of food as weights.Set yourself distance goals to achieve, even if you are in a confined space.Try Yoga, Pilates or Taiichi.Do daily stretches.One striking difference for those of us in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, is the range of social and cultural resources available online. For those who have internet access there is a treasure trove for discovery and exploration, from the confines of your home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many cultural and learning events are free. So why not try something new? For example, a short internet search (at the time of writing) shows that you can hear an intimate performance by up and coming musicians direct from their home, take part in shared storytelling or listen to compelling true stories by others. You can listen to sounds from cities around the world and contribute your own, travel to the seven wonders of the world or visit a library in another country. You can read Tolstoy’s War and Peace with others in an online book club or set up your own virtual book club. You can travel into space with the Apollo13 mission. You can learn a new language or enrol in a new course whether in the Arts to Social Sciences, Maths or Astronomy, Health or Wellbeing to develop your mind and hone your questioning and critical thinking skills. (You can check out links to these and other free resources in the Further resources section at the end of this session.) For those without internet access, there are many activities (mental and physical) you can do with a little imagination, books, pens and paper, including all of the activities outlined by David and Michael in the tips above. (You can check out links to these and other free resources in the Further resources section at the end of this session.)Activity 4 Creating a new routineTake a moment to think about your current routine, if you have one.How different is this from your old routine/what changes have you had to make? Now, either use the table below, or click on the link below that which will take you to an empty table, or use the table to create a new routine.Is there anything missing from your routine, from the list above that you would like to add?
Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Notes
A new routine: table (You might find it useful to print this.)3 <i>Time to Think</i>: learning from the past
Figure 6 Image of the Compounds, 1972.
This is a photograph of the Compounds at Maze and Long Kesh Prison, 1972.This is a photograph of the Compounds at Maze and Long Kesh Prison, 1972.The Open University’s Time to Think archive captures people’s educational journeys with The Open University in prisons during the years of conflict (1972–2000). Stories were captured over a ten-year period and include contributions from OU tutors and office staff, prison education staff, prison governors and some of the thousands of Republicans, and Loyalists imprisoned as a result of their role in the conflict.A number of these Open University students played a role in the unfolding peace process during imprisonment and upon release. Some went on to become teachers, academics, architects or artists. Others became community or political leaders including district or city councillors, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the Northern Ireland Assembly [the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland]. You might like to listen to the following 8 clips from the Time to Think archive. Each reveals different ways in which people have expanded their horizons despite the physical confines they inhabited. (Each clip is only between 40 seconds to 1 minute long.) Eddie Kinner
Figure 7 Eddie Kinner
A photograph of Eddie Kinner.A photograph of Eddie Kinner.Eddie gained an Open University degree in Mathematics in the Loyalist Compounds [the Maze and Long Kesh Prison] in the 1980s. He was later one part of the Loyalist negotiating team for the Good Friday Agreement. Audio transcript (Word document)Harry Donaghy
Figure 8 Harry Donaghy
A photograph of Harry DonaghyA photograph of Harry DonaghyHarry studied for O and A levels in the Official IRA Compounds [the Maze and Long Kesh Prison] in the 1970’s. After his release he studied in the Soviet Union, graduating from the Lenin Institute in Moscow in 1989. Harry works in the community sector on peacebuilding by facilitating new conversations about the construction of modern British and Irish identities.Audio transcript (Word document)Jackie McMullan
Figure 9 Jackie McMullan
A photograph of Jackie McMullanA photograph of Jackie McMullanJackie gained a Social Sciences degree in the Republican wings of the H Blocks [the Maze and Long Kesh Prison] in the 1980s. He was later Special Advisor for the Minister of Education at the Assembly in Stormont. Jackie works in the community sector.Audio transcript (Word document)Robert Campbell
Figure 10 Robert Campbell
A photograph of Robert CampbellA photograph of Robert CampbellRobert gained an Open University degree in Mathematics in the Loyalist wings of the H Blocks [the Maze and Long Kesh Prison] in the 1990s. Later he gained a Master’s degree in Numerical Analysis from the University of London. Robert works with Loyalist ex-prisoners in education and peacebuilding. Audio transcript (Word document)William Mitchell
Figure 11 William Mitchell
A photograph of William MitchellA photograph of William MitchellWilliam studied short courses with The Open University while in the Loyalist Compounds [the Maze and Long Kesh Prison] in the 1970s. On release he gained a degree in Youth and Community Work from the University of Ulster and later, a PhD in Philosophy. William is Project Director for the Action for Community Transformation initiative, a conflict transformation process for LoyalistsAudio transcript (Word document)Martina Anderson
Figure 12 Martina Anderson
A photograph of Martina AndersonA photograph of Martina AndersonMartina studied for a Social Sciences degree with The Open University in Durham Gaol and Maghaberry Prison, graduating in 1997. She was first elected as a Sinn Féin member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 2007, and later as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2012 to 2020. Martina is a Sinn Féin MLA.Audio transcript (Word document)Michael Atcheson
Figure 13 Michael Atcheson
A stamp from a prison saying ‘Received 7 March 1984’.A stamp from a prison saying ‘Received 7 March 1984’.Michael studied Arts with The Open University in the Loyalist wings of the H Blocks [the Maze and Long Kesh Prison] in the 1980s. Later he worked in the community sector and graduated with a degree in Community Development. Michael is retired. Audio transcript (Word document)Carál Ní Chuilín
Figure 14 Carál Ní Chuilín
A photograph of Carál Ní ChuilínA photograph of Carál Ní ChuilínCarál studied Social Sciences with The Open University in Maghaberry Prison in the 1990s and gained a Masters in Management from Queen’s University upon her release. She was first elected as a Sinn Féin Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 2007 and from 2011 to 2016 was Minister for the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure. Carál is a Sinn Féin MLA.Audio transcript (Word document)Activity 5 Learning from the pastHaving listened to these clips, now write down your thoughts on the following questions.Did any of these stories echo with your own ways of using your mind? Are there ways in which you could apply any of these examples to your own situation? What about writing down or recording your own stories of ways you have found to come through this situation? 4 Reflection
Figure 15 Landscape and Belfast city in the distance, County Antrim 2020