Prison abolition, Prisoner support, theory and practice

[Ele'ill]

in Mutual Aid & DIY.

I have a friend who is potentially facing a life altering/ending sentence. I don't know what I can do and would like help on this topic. I don't know the gritty details of what actually helps and what makes things dangerous and more difficult for folks who are locked up. Without further details, I am not standing behind their alleged actions, what they're being charged with. But I am standing behind them as a human being, and if anything, I am doing it for the other folks affected because I think it is a bigger picture.

[Prometeo liberado]

If he/she goes in then they will have to stay with their race and very likely navigate the precarious world of prison politics. Point being, only the unending support of those on the outside will keep them from becoming institutionalized. Pretty sure you knew this so just keep up hope.

[Jimmie Higgins]

Just annecdotally: If you want to help them in the sense of moral or daily sort of support, go visit as much as you are able to. It'll suck for you, it's not pleasant to visit and the guards will treat you like shit as if just visiting an inmate means that you should be locked up too. They'll also constantly change visting rules and will suddenly close visiting for no reason even though you drove all the way they hell out to the middle of nowhere where they keep these penal concentration camps. But your friend will appreaciate it and be able to tell you what they would like you to bring. My friend was just happy to see someone and talk about pop-culture and nothing of much importacnce. It was a men's prison, so he was happy to talk about something other than cars and talk about movies not in a way that's based on how sexy the actresses are.

I sent my friend tons of comic books. He said it made him popular inside because people are hella bored (and probably some people have issues reading in English or just in general) and he would trade it with people. Also I think at that time, they had a limit on how many books inmates could have but there was no limit on magazines (or comics). The prisoner store is hella expensive, so help them out by sending things they need and things to keep them entertained.

Best of luck to your friend. It fucking sucks.

My friend is not a radical at all, but his conclusion after being locked up was that there is no good reason to send ANYONE to prison - it "does nothing for anybody involved".

[Quail]

I've read that letters help, just hearing about normal stuff that has nothing to do with prison, etc. Sending stuff that they need is useful too, but you should check what the prison actually allows people to receive.

[SonofRage]

Letters don't need much time commitment and do make a difference. Think of a prisoners day to day life. Everything is scheduled and every day is pretty much the same as the day before. Receiving a letter breaks up this monotony.

[Ele'ill]

I plan to send letters and I plan to visit. Given the nature of the possible sentence and level of severity of their 'housing' I don't know if sending things, or contributing to a commissary account would be detrimental to their safety regarding prison politics.

It is amazing we hear about stuff happening and see it happen but when it is someone you know, who you've shared space with consistently over the years, it just takes on a whole new emotional aspect. What I've experienced from this event so far is that people within this person's social sphere have come together again after having become only acquaintances or having lost contact completely , even if momentarily, to discuss actual socially relevant topics, and people who I never would have expected to take a position against prison, are, and they're making legitimate observations about many other things in the process.

[BIXX]

Like others have said, you'll prolly wanna do some research about what people can have, as well as what they will want to have in prison as to help them navigate through prison politics (things they'd be able to trade successfully, etc). Letters, for sure. That's incredibly important.

How likely is it that they're going? Is it a done deal or does your friend have a fighting chance?