July 23, 2014 9:00am by David Farrar

Hunger strikers never carry through

Prisoner All Means All’s intermittent hunger strike is over.

The Oxford farmer, formerly known as Mark Feary, started eating and drinking again late last week.

Of course he did. The last time I can recall a hunger striker actually staying on strike was Bobby Sands in 1981 protesting about having to wear a prison uniform and do work in prison.

In India they do hunger strikes far more sensibly. They do it in teams of three with each having an 8 hour shift every day. I understand one hunger strike there has been going on for over 15 years.

UPDATE: I’m informed by a very reliable source that the normal practice of the NZ Corrections Department is (or was) to position a BBQ outside the hunger striker’s cell, and cook bacon. It seems this was highly effective at ending most hunger strikes!