Thread by @AnarchistFed

We believe in prison abolition as one of the principles of Anarchism. It's a complex issue but one founded in "more compassion and support = a better happier society"

How we treat people we are "angry at" on a social level, says a lot about us. 1/

https://twitter.com/IDoTheThinking/status/1337900350926249985

Norway's recidivism rate is 20%, prior to the reforms of the last 60's/70's, they had a punative system which saw recidivism in the 90 percentile for young offenders.

So now they are held up by liberals as the shining light of reform, compassion having proven results.
2/

Listen. the Scandinavian communities are not an end goal.
They are still capitalist systems.

Norway still steals the liberty from 72 of every 100,000 people, overwhelmingly for crimes relating to economy and state.

Reform is not enough. Never will be.
3/

Abolition is a critial change in perception, which is vital revolutionaries to engage with. Instead of seeking to lock people away in the chokey - no matter how nice it is - we need to address to social factors which lead to "criminality".
4/

We need to consider what a community that bases it's response to "criminality" on compassion looks like.

Vengence is a powerful force, but it is rarely one which accompanies an ethical response, certainly not when it is the policy of a state.
5/

This doesn't mean that our society is ready to just empty the prisons, changing this single issue alone, and magically pretend we don't have some pretty horrific folk out there. What it does mean tho is that we begin the transition from a punitive society to a restorative one.
6/

It means ending the for-profit planations in countries like the USA and to a lesser - but just as sinister- respect here in the UK where they are champing at the bit to build "mega prisons" all over the shop.

7/

Frankly I don't think anyone should end up in prison for non-violent, economic or political crimes. That change should start right now. There are alternatives and that we choose to lock folk away to "tech them a lesson" is sickening.
8/

Some texts for further reading, apply them to your context as appropriate.

Short Article from @GrimKim
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/kim-ke…

Angela Davis - Are prisons obsolete?
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/angela…

9/

@RevAbolition - Burn down the American Plantation
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/revolu…

ASBO - Bang Up and Smash
(For folk who might be looking at doing time especially)
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/asbo-b…

ABC's guide to political prisons
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/anarch…

10/

Os Cangaceiros - A Crime called Freedom
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/os-can…

Kropotkin - In Russia and French prisons
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/petr-k…

Carl Cattermole - Prison a survival guide, which I can't find a online copy off but is available at @Freedom_Paper
freedompress.org.uk/product/prison…
11/

(Yes, I do love The Anarchist Library.)

Take the comparison of the USA/Norway and put Norway on the "omg this is horrible" side of it.

Fuck liberal reforms, push for revolutionary abolition.

12/

This cannot happen in isolation from addressing other social issues mind. There is no "single front" in the struggle for a better world.

The question of prisions is inherently woven in capitalism, the state, policing and racism amongst other things.

13/

There are many specialists on the topic, I am not one of them, some are listed above. Read them. Build a complex picture. Reject half measures and appeals to vengence on behalf of a state as we do simplistic solutions.

The problems are infractural.
12/

Oh, I can't believe this needs stating, "gulags for the bourgeoisie", it's the same shit.

If you take that as anything more than proles whistling in the dark with some ill manner you are betraying your core notion for the sake of vengence and simplicity. Fuck you.
-R
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