Recording & transcript: On October 15th people accross continents joined an online workshop Against Border Carcerality and towards Abolition that brought together activists, community organizers, and engaged researchers to share experiences, insights and strategies based on their ongoing struggles against border carceral systems, including detention, deportation, and encampment, across different countries and contexts. 

Read a full digital copy of this edition of Radical Alternative to Prison’s journal “The Abolitionist” (1985) No. 19

A response to political and academic discourse that has emerged in support of a devolved criminal justice system in Cymru (Wales). It challenges, from an abolitionist perspective, arguments that present devolution as the solution to what is often presented as a criminal justice system that is both failing and at breaking point.

Irish Penal Abolition Network launch their three legged General Election Manisfesto for the upcoming elections to the Dáil in Dublin. Challenging the ‘Law & Order’ myths that more prisons will bring us safety, and connecting to what communities actually want and need- more social investment.

Despite the 2004 act, foxhunting has continued as if the ban did not exist. Illegal hunting, however, is just one strand to the package of harms that accompanies foxhunting, with overt and organised violence by hunts and their supporters regularly experienced by sabs and monitors.

We often talk about the mental health system being “broken”. Yet an abolitionist lens teaches us that the very idea of psychiatric institutionalisation centres around isolation and containment - not care.

This Saturday 26 October, the United Families and Friends (UFFC) will be meeting in London (Trafalgar Square) and Edinburgh (Bute House) at 12 noon. The same week that police officer Martyn Blake was acquitted of murdering Chris Kaba, it’s even more important to come together. United, we will remember those killed in custody and continue the fight for change.

25 years since the first annual procession memorialising those who died at the hands of the state, we encourage you to join UFFC and stand with bereaved families and friends in their ongoing struggles for justice.

Join us for our autumn 2024 bookclub. We’ll be reading Why would femininsts trust the police? by Leah Cowan. Oc 22, Nov 12, Dec 3.

Our launch of the abolitionist posters commissioned as part of our Art & Abolition Leeds 2024 project

Read Dalton’s reflections on visiting Bent Bars

protecting our streets: police are never the answer? Over the last week, Britain and Ireland have witnessed escalating violence incited by far-right groups. This can’t be used to increase police powers.

Join us for our event in Leeds!

A selection of recent and forthcoming resources.

Read a full digital copy of this edition of Radical Alternative to Prison’s journal “The Abolitionist” (1986) No. 21

Tuesday 4 June 2024: Join us for the public launch of our new resource: ‘Addressing Gender-Based Violence: Carceral Reforms vs Abolitionist Strategies.’ Speakers include Leah Cowan, Lola Olufemi and Billy a frontline gender-based violence worker.

5 artists will be invited to produce their work to completion on topics defined in community workshops.

The parts of the state that provide welfare and the parts of the state that provide punishment are deeply intertwined and interdependent. This is especially paramount for Care Experienced people, who are the children of the state.

Most histories of policing start with the 1829 establishment of London’s Met. This article explores British policing experiments in the quarter century before 1800.