The 1983 Maze Prison Escape – Collection of Eight Original Press Association Photographs of the Escapees and H-Block Prison – Northern Ireland – 1983

Description

A historically significant archive of eight original Press Association black-and-white press photographs relating directly to the mass escape from HM Prison Maze, also known as Long Kesh, on 25 September 1983.

The collection was assembled for contemporary newspaper use and includes four composite sheets of official prisoner identification photographs, an aerial view of the Maze immediately after the escape, and three composite photographs documenting the interior facilities of an H-Block. The original Press Association typewritten captions remain attached to the reverses, preserving the names, contemporary status and newsroom context of the men pictured.

On 25 September 1983, 38 Provisional IRA prisoners escaped from H-Block 7 after prisoners seized control of the block, held prison officers hostage and used a prison food lorry in an attempt to pass through the main gate. It became the largest prison escape in British peacetime history. Prison officer James Ferris died after suffering a heart attack during the escape, while numerous other officers were injured. The subsequent official inquiry, conducted by Sir James Hennessy, examined the security arrangements and institutional failures that had permitted the breakout.

The Collection Comprises

1. “On the Run from Maze Prison” – Belfast 1

Composite identification photograph showing, from left to right:

Upper row: Seamus Clarke, Seamus McIlwaine and Anthony Kelly
Lower row: Kieran Fleming, Seamus Campbell and Dermot Finucane

The original caption is dated 26 September 1983, the day after the escape.

2. “Recaptured and Still on the Run” – Belfast 4

Composite identification photograph showing:

Upper row: Patrick McIntyre, Paul Kane and Gerard Kelly
Lower row: Kevin Artt, Brendan Mead and John Fryers

The caption distinguishes between prisoners then recaptured and those still being sought, recording the changing manhunt situation immediately after the breakout.

3. “On the Run from Maze Prison” – Belfast 2

Composite identification photograph showing:

Upper row: Brendan McFarlane, Terence Kirby and Anthony McAllister
Lower row: Dermot McNally and Robert Russell

The surviving original caption is dated 26 September 1983.

4. “On the Run from Maze Prison” – Belfast 3

Composite identification photograph showing:

Upper row: Joseph Corey, Patrick McKearney and James Clarke
Lower row: Gerard McDonnell, Paul Brennan and J. J. Smyth

Original Press Association caption dated 26 September 1983.

Together, these four composites record 23 of the men associated with the escape and subsequent manhunt, retaining their prison identification photographs, name boards, prisoner references and contemporary Press Association captions.

5. Aerial View of HM Prison Maze

An original Press Association wirephoto dated 27 September 1983, showing the extensive H-Block prison complex from the air.

The contemporary caption identifies H-Block 7 as the location from which the 38 prisoners escaped and records the death of a prison officer and the serious wounding of another during the breakout. The aerial image provides important architectural and security context, showing the individual H-shaped blocks, perimeter walls, exercise yards and surrounding compounds.

6. H-Block Security Gates and Cell Corridor

A composite Press Association photograph dated 4 October 1983, showing:

Upper image: security gates within an H-Block corridor
Lower image: a corridor of individual cells

The polished floors, repeated barred gates and controlled sightlines provide a valuable contemporary record of the prison’s internal security arrangements only days after the escape.

7. H-Block Lavatory and Cell Facilities

A composite Press Association photograph dated 4 October 1983, showing:

Upper image: communal lavatory and washing facilities
Lower image: a double-bunk cell with beds, table, shelving and sanitary fittings

This photograph documents the everyday accommodation and living conditions within an H-Block at the Maze.

8. H-Block Workshop and Dining Facilities

A composite Press Association photograph dated 4 October 1983, showing:

Upper image: workshop facilities, including benches, tools and a motor vehicle
Lower image: dining facilities with laid tables

These institutional photographs were evidently distributed in response to heightened public and political interest in the prison’s construction, management and security following the escape.

Historical Importance

This archive is considerably more substantial than a single portrait or generic photograph of the Maze. It forms a coherent contemporary newspaper dossier covering three interconnected aspects of the event:

• the identities of the escaping prisoners;
• the prison complex and H-Block architecture;
• the internal facilities and security arrangements subjected to scrutiny after the breakout.

The collection’s proximity to the event is particularly important. The fugitive composites were issued on 26 September, one day after the escape; the aerial view followed on 27 September; and the interior photographs were distributed on 4 October as questions intensified about how a mass escape from a maximum-security institution had been possible.

The official Hennessy inquiry began immediately after the breakout and later concluded that failures in security practice, management and prison design had contributed to the escape.

The contemporary captions also preserve the language of British press reporting during the Troubles. Terms such as “terrorists” appear in some original agency captions and should be understood as part of the historical newsroom record rather than modern descriptive terminology.

Condition

The photographs are in very good indeed condition for original working press photographs.

There is light age toning, minor surface marking, occasional marginal creasing, edge and corner wear and signs of newsroom handling. Some sheets have slight curvature or pressure marks. The original green Press Association caption slips remain attached to the reverses and display expected toning, minor creasing, adhesive rippling and occasional edge wear. The identification portraits, prison interiors and aerial image remain clear and well contrasted. The captions are substantially complete and legible. Archive stamps and occasional newspaper editorial annotations are present.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

Title: The 1983 Maze Prison Escape
Agency: Press Association Photos
Photographers: Uncredited
Dates: 26 September–4 October 1983
Location: HM Prison Maze, Long Kesh, near Belfast, Northern Ireland
Subject: Maze Prison escape; H-Blocks; Troubles; prisoner identification photographs
Number of photographs: Eight
Size: Approximately 15.2 × 20.1 cm each
Process: Original black-and-white press photographs and wirephotos
Captions: Original Press Association typewritten captions attached verso
Provenance: Former British newspaper photographic archive

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