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Don't expand Styal Prison - Close it down

John Moore | 10.04.2006 12:06 | Repression | Social Struggles

Within 3 month of its establishment No More Prison organised its first direct action - a demonstration outside styal prison on April 8th 2006. The Demostration was in opposition to plans to expand the failed prison to make it Europe's largest prison for women. No More Prison called instead for the prison to be closed.












Among those attending the demonstration were former prisoners Susan May and Sandra Gregory. Also attending were three mothers whose children had been killed by Britians Prisons.

Many friends and relatives visting stopped to talk about the experiences of their loved ones inside Styal and to support No More Prison's call for its closure. A number were surprised that despite the prison's well publicised failures the Government is planning to double the number of women imprisoned in it.

Granda TV covered the demo and Pauline Campbell, whose 18 year old daughter Sarah died in the "care" of Styal, and is supporting No More Prison's call for the closure of Styal, was interviewed by MFM, Signal, Classic Gold Marcher, Wirral's Buzz, and Silk FM Radio Stations.

Although we recognise that it will take more than one demonstration to close down Styal Prison it was important as it shows both the incarerated women and the Government that people are concerned and prepared to take action. No More Prison is committed to continuing to highlight the abusive nature of prison and to campaign for its abolition.

During the demonstration an Ambulance arrived at the prison. This is a regular event. The pain of being locked up in Styal sees daily self harm and attempts by the women to end their lives

John Moore
- e-mail: nomoreprison@aol.com
- Homepage: http://www.alternatives2prison.ik.com/

Comments

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demo is not direct action

13.04.2006 21:32

A demo is not direct action - it's not directly stopping anything. You don't need to call a demo or protest direct action for it to be a good thing to do.

Glad you were there.

In solidarity, xx

solidarity


Demo can be a form of direct action.

02.05.2006 16:44

Voting for a ruler is not "direct", participating in vanguard party is not "direct" but actually doing something yourself is "direct" action. Granted if you have a demo or a picket somewhere where nobody can see you it's a useless "direct action" but that doesn't change the classification.

P.S. No More Prison AGM is on 20th, see the callendar or the website of NMP for more info.

VolodyA! V Anarhist
- Homepage: http://freedom.libsyn.com/