Three-quarters of former republican prisoners in North Belfast have suffered some form of post-traumatic stress disorder, says a study launched today.
A report by a University of Ulster researcher into the emotional well-being, health and employment of former IRA inmates in North Belfast revealed that of a sample group of 100, 15 per cent suffered post-traumatic stress from witnessing and experiencing violence.
But relatives believed the incidence of post-traumatic stress was 10 per cent higher than the figure recorded among the prisoners.
Dr Pete Shirlow of the university's Social Exclusion Research Unit revealed in a report - The State They Are In: Republican Ex-Prisoners and their Families- that one in five of those polled claimed to have had suffered symptoms in the four weeks before they were surveyed.
A high proportion of respondents had symptoms of anxiety attacks, tremors, insomnia, nightmares and other neuroses on their release.
Prisoners released in the past five years were also more likely to suffer from hyper vigilance, insomnia and feelings of apathy and exhaustion. Those imprisoned before the mid-1980s tended to have higher levels of irritability and a tendency to panic run, freeze or feel terror-stricken.
The study also found:
- The divorce rate of 52 per cent among prisoners in north Belfast was 17 per cent higher than the city average.
- One in seven women in relationships with ex-prisoners suffered domestic violence after their husbands or partners were released.
- Two-thirds of those polled are economically inactive, with 42 per cent registered unemployed compared with the national rate of 5.2% and north Belfast average of 9.2 per cent.
- Only 12 per cent of those surveyed had a degree or post-graduate qualifications. Around 10 per cent had National Vocational Qualifications Level Two, Three or above.
- Two-thirds of the 33 per cent employed had qualifications.
- The average time it took for a former prisoner to find work was 32 months, with 71 per cent of those polled stating a negative attitude to ex-inmates by employers as the main barrier to them finding work.
- Fear was another factor for 30 per cent of those polled, and 15 per cent believed low pay levels, lack of jobs, an inability to get an interview and trust were also impediments.
The report is one of two being launched today by Tar Isteach, a counselling and advice service for republican ex-prisoners, and Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly, who is a former IRA inmate.
The other report evaluating the work of republican ex-prisoners' groups in the north of the city claimed many offering support services are overworked, funded on a low income base and facing increasing demands.
PA