Why did republican prisoners go on hunger strikes in 1981?

In 1981, republican prisoners in Northern Ireland initiated a hunger strike primarily to protest the British government's policy of "criminalization" and to demand the restoration of political-prisoner status.12

Previously, republican prisoners had been granted "special category" status, which acknowledged their activities as political rather than criminal and allowed them rights such as wearing their own clothing and organizing their own educational and recreational activities. The British government rescinded this status in an attempt to portray republican activity as that of ordinary criminals.2

Following years of "blanket" and "dirty" protests—where prisoners refused to wear prison uniforms or wash—the hunger strike was launched on March 1, 1981, led by Bobby Sands. The strikers sought humane conditions and recognition of their political motivation. Despite the death of ten prisoners, including Sands, and significant international condemnation of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for her refusal to compromise, the strike continued until October 1981. Shortly after it ended, the government granted reforms that largely met the prisoners' demands.12