Loyalist and Republican prisoners prepare to meet the Secretary of state Mo Mowlam, Maze prison 1998

Twenty four hours before Northern Ireland's Secretary of State Mo Mowlam makes an unprecedented visit to the Maze Prison, the media are allowed rare access to the prison and its loyalist and republican prisoners. The visit was permitted to counteract the perception of a lax regime at the prison.  On the loyalist wing, David Davin-Power met UFF (Ulster Freedom Fighters) prisoners Sam McRory, Johnny Adair and Michael Stone, who consider themselves to be political prisoners.  Commenting on the planned visit of Mo Mowlam, Michael Stone said that loyalists would listen but would not negotiate.