Gerry Adams was held in Cage 11 at Long Kesh prison camp on March 1, 1976. That date marked the British Labour government's decision to end political status for republican prisoners.

Political status had been granted in June 1972 following a hunger strike by republican prisoners. It formed part of negotiations between republicans and the British.

A Labour government under Harold Wilson took power in March 1974. It pursued a strategy including the withdrawal of political status. Laws changed to facilitate convictions in non-jury Diplock Courts. H-Blocks were built in 1975 at Long Kesh to hold prisoners now classed as criminals.

Merlyn Rees served as British Secretary of State. He oversaw the Ulsterisation, Criminalisation and Normalisation strategy. The approach sought to cut British soldier deaths by relying more on local RUC and UDR forces.

Seven months later, Kieran Nugent became the first republican sentenced under the new laws. On March 1, 1981, Bobby Sands began a hunger strike that led to his death and those of nine others.