BELFAST - At its height, the Maze held 1800 prisoners. After Saturday there will be just 16 left, guarded by a staff of 750.
Those staying behind following this week's mass exodus are not expected to remain at the Maze for long. Many will be freed in the next few months and a few will be transferred to other prisons.
The ones being kept behind had committed offences after the timescale laid down by the Good Friday Agreement.
They include the Irish National Liberation Army men who murdered loyalist leader Billy "King Rat" Wright inside the prison in 1997. But the three, Christopher "Crip" McWilliams, John Kennaway and John Glennon, are expected out by October.
Others ineligible for early release include dissidents on both sides - the Real IRA and Continuity IRA on the nationalist side, and the Orange Volunteers and the Red Hand Defenders for the loyalists.
The killers of Billy Wright are the only high-profile prisoners who will not be walking out at the end of the week. Loyalist Volunteer Force men have threatened to take retribution on the three.
- INDEPENDENT
750 guards to watch the last 16 prisoners
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