They seem to be immobilized, yes. Comatose, perhaps. There is good evidence to suggest they are Aefin, arm, Aefenglom Coven witches. W, which left alongside Morgana. When she founded that dreadful place.

[but it's likely further than that, Everett elaborates, remarkably focused now that they're finally Thoroughly On Topic.]

Scrubbed from memory in history books there, but mentioned in those in our records... scrubbed from public mind, even.