The Abolitionist No 12 (1982)

Introduction /Commentary by John Moore

For those interested in the history of Radical Alternatives to Prison this edition is perhaps the most important. In particular Jill Box-Grainger’s contribution “RAP: A New Strategy”, heavily influenced by “Left Realism” marks a significant shift in RAP’s thinking, calling for crime to be taken seriously from the perspective of the working class communities that experience it. In particular her argument ‘that in certain exceptional circumstances prison sentences would overtly be used as a form of punishment (as well as protection, etc) marks a significant shift from an abolitionist perspective.’ The issue is entitled “Justice for Victims” and three articles on the theme of conciliation and restitution, exploring the potential of restorative justice by Mike Newllis, Philip Priestly and Martin Wright, set the scene for the discussion of strategy. 

In a second strategy paper Tony Ward seeks to reconcile the new priority for ‘short-term policies which clearly recognise the immediate need of the actual and potential victims of “crime”’ with the question “where does abolition come in?”’ Tony makes an impressive attempt to resolve this and I will leave readers to make their own minds up as to how successfully he does this. 

The edition ends with three long reviews of Frighten for My Life: An account of deaths in British prisons; Making Good: Prisons, Punishment and Beyond; and British Prisons. All reviews are worth reading, as are the three books.