Nine Perspectives for Prison Abolitionists

Perspective 1
Imprisonment is morally reprehensible and indefensible and must be abolished.
In an enlightened free society, prison cannot endure or it will prevail.
Abolition is a long term goal; an ideal. The eradication of any oppressive
system is not an easy task. But it is realizable, like the abolition
of slavery or any liberation, so long as there is the will to engage
in the struggle.

Perspective 2
The message of abolition requires "honest" language and new
definitions. Language is related to power. We do not permit those in
power to control our vocabulary. Using "system language" to call
prisoners "inmates" or punishment "treatment", denies prisoners the
reality of their experience and makes us captives of the old system.
Our own language and definitions empower us to define the prison
realistically.

Perspective 3
Abolitionists believe reconciliation, not punishment, is a proper response
to criminal acts. The present criminal (in)justice systems focus on
someone to punish, caring little about the criminal’s need or the victims
loss. The abolitionist response seeks to restore both the criminal and the
victim to full humanity, to lives of integrity and dignity in the community.
Abolitionists advocate the least amount of coercion and intervention
in an individual’s life and the maximum amount of care and services
to all people in the society.

Perspective 4
Abolitionists work with prisoners but always remain "non-members" of
the established prison system. Abolitionists learn how to walk the
narrow line between relating to prisoners inside the system and
remaining independent and "outside" that system. We resist the
compelling psychological pressures to be "accepted" by people in the
prison system. We are willing to risk pressing for changes that are
beneficial to and desired by prisoners. In relating to those in power,
we differentiate between the personhood of system managers (which we
respect) and their role in perpetuating an oppressive system.

Perspective 5
Abolitionists are "allies" of prisoners rather than traditional
"helpers." We have forged a new definition of what is truly helpful to
the caged, keeping in mind both the prisoner’s perspective and the
requirements of abolition. New insights into old, culture-laden views
of the "helping relationship" strengthen our roles as allies of
prisoners.

Perspective 6
Abolitionists realize that the empowerment of prisoners and ex-prisoners
is crucial to prison system change. Most people have the potential
to determine their own needs in terms of survival, resources and programs.
We support self-determination of prisoners and programs which place
more power in the hands of those directly affected by the prison experience.

Perspective 7
Abolitionists view power as available to each of us for challenging and
abolishing the prison system. We believe that citizens are the source
of institutional power. By giving support to "or withholding support
from" specific policies and practices, patterns of power can be
altered.

Perspective 8
Abolitionists believe that crime is mainly a consequence of the structure
of society. We devote ourselves to a community change approach. We
would drastically limit the role of the criminal (in)justice systems.
We advocate public solutions to public problems "greater resources and services for all people".

Perspective 9
Abolitionists believe that it is only in a caring community that corporate
and individual redemption can take place. We view the dominant culture
as more in need of "correction" than the prisoner. The caring communities have yet to be built.

from Instead of Prisons: A Handbook for Abolitionists