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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/01/domestic-violence-services-occupying-holloway-prison-sisters-uncut-cuts-women
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| Domestic violence services are in crisis. That's why we're reclaiming Holloway prison | Domestic violence services are in crisis. That's why we're reclaiming Holloway prison |
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| Two women a week die at the hands of a partner or ex-partner. Since 2010, the Conservatives’ ideological austerity has made it even more difficult for women to leave dangerous relationships. Thirty four specialist services have been closed since 2010, with four in five BME women now being turned away from refuges because of lack of space when they seek life-saving support. | Two women a week die at the hands of a partner or ex-partner. Since 2010, the Conservatives’ ideological austerity has made it even more difficult for women to leave dangerous relationships. Thirty four specialist services have been closed since 2010, with four in five BME women now being turned away from refuges because of lack of space when they seek life-saving support. |
| Sisters Uncut has reclaimed the visitors’ centre of the now-closed Holloway women’s prison site in north London in response to this crisis. We demand that the government uses the land to support survivors of domestic violence and the local community. We have transformed this space of state violence, holding a week-long community festival with activities and workshops. | Sisters Uncut has reclaimed the visitors’ centre of the now-closed Holloway women’s prison site in north London in response to this crisis. We demand that the government uses the land to support survivors of domestic violence and the local community. We have transformed this space of state violence, holding a week-long community festival with activities and workshops. |
| The visitors’ centre was secured by activists who entered via an open window, while several protested on the roof, and dozens rallied outside. After a 10-hour standoff with police, the centre was successfully occupied just after midnight on Sunday 28 May. | The visitors’ centre was secured by activists who entered via an open window, while several protested on the roof, and dozens rallied outside. After a 10-hour standoff with police, the centre was successfully occupied just after midnight on Sunday 28 May. |
| Prisons are an inhumane response to the social problems faced by vulnerable women | Prisons are an inhumane response to the social problems faced by vulnerable women |
| First opened in 1852, Holloway was the largest women’s prison in western Europe and became the first female-only local prison in the UK. It was closed in 2016 after George Osborne’s July budget, symptomatic of Conservative policies which target the most vulnerable in our society. The 600 women incarcerated there at the time were rushed to the already overcrowded HMP Downview and HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, separating many women from their families, friends and support networks. | First opened in 1852, Holloway was the largest women’s prison in western Europe and became the first female-only local prison in the UK. It was closed in 2016 after George Osborne’s July budget, symptomatic of Conservative policies which target the most vulnerable in our society. The 600 women incarcerated there at the time were rushed to the already overcrowded HMP Downview and HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, separating many women from their families, friends and support networks. |
| Holloway prison stands on an 10-acre site of public land. Property agent GVA is contracted to manage the sale of the site. GVA is known for what it calls “estate regeneration” across London, and is linked to the “homeless spikes” in Manchester. Another luxury private development will not benefit the local community. In Islington, 20,000 people are on the waiting list for council housing. This public land should be used for public good, with actual affordable social housing. | |
| The occupied visitors’ centre in Holloway prison is new and accessible, but has been sitting empty and unused for a year. It should be opened immediately as a women’s building to serve domestic violence survivors and the local community. | The occupied visitors’ centre in Holloway prison is new and accessible, but has been sitting empty and unused for a year. It should be opened immediately as a women’s building to serve domestic violence survivors and the local community. |
| Holloway women’s prison has a painful history of state violence against women. Sarah Reed was tragically found dead in her cell last year after being imprisoned on remand for allegedly defending herself during a sexual assault. The so-called “ringleaders” of the hunger strikes in Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre were moved to Holloway to separate them from other migrants. Oscar Wilde was criminalised and imprisoned for his sexuality here and the Suffragettes were imprisoned, force-fed and labelled terrorists. By reclaiming the site, we hope to translate the victimisation of women into an expression of political power, giving political agency back to women and non-binary people. | Holloway women’s prison has a painful history of state violence against women. Sarah Reed was tragically found dead in her cell last year after being imprisoned on remand for allegedly defending herself during a sexual assault. The so-called “ringleaders” of the hunger strikes in Yarl’s Wood immigration detention centre were moved to Holloway to separate them from other migrants. Oscar Wilde was criminalised and imprisoned for his sexuality here and the Suffragettes were imprisoned, force-fed and labelled terrorists. By reclaiming the site, we hope to translate the victimisation of women into an expression of political power, giving political agency back to women and non-binary people. |
| Prisons are an inhumane response to the social problems faced by vulnerable women. Nearly half (46%) of women in prison report having experienced domestic violence in their past, and 53% report experiencing abuse as a child. | Prisons are an inhumane response to the social problems faced by vulnerable women. Nearly half (46%) of women in prison report having experienced domestic violence in their past, and 53% report experiencing abuse as a child. |
| While the closure and sale of Holloway could represent a genuine effort to reduce the prison population, the Tories are embarking on a “prison building revolution”, building new mega-prisons in rural areas – out of sight and out of mind. Ten years ago, Baroness Corston’s review of women in prison recommended that women should serve shorter community sentences, since 81% of women are in prison are convicted for nonviolent crimes. Despite this, the population of women in prison has doubled in the past 10 years. | While the closure and sale of Holloway could represent a genuine effort to reduce the prison population, the Tories are embarking on a “prison building revolution”, building new mega-prisons in rural areas – out of sight and out of mind. Ten years ago, Baroness Corston’s review of women in prison recommended that women should serve shorter community sentences, since 81% of women are in prison are convicted for nonviolent crimes. Despite this, the population of women in prison has doubled in the past 10 years. |
| On Monday, Theresa May announced a domestic violence and abuse bill, which pledges tougher sentences for perpetrators of abuse. Given that 79% of survivors do not report domestic violence due to fear and a lack of confidence in the criminal justice system, this bill is hugely misguided. What’s needed is funding for domestic violence services. | On Monday, Theresa May announced a domestic violence and abuse bill, which pledges tougher sentences for perpetrators of abuse. Given that 79% of survivors do not report domestic violence due to fear and a lack of confidence in the criminal justice system, this bill is hugely misguided. What’s needed is funding for domestic violence services. |
| May has failed domestic violence survivors. Despite promises to allow survivors to vote anonymously, these plans are not in place for this election. For fear of discovery from former perpetrators, domestic violence survivors must remain anonymous, put at risk by being listed on the electoral roll. | May has failed domestic violence survivors. Despite promises to allow survivors to vote anonymously, these plans are not in place for this election. For fear of discovery from former perpetrators, domestic violence survivors must remain anonymous, put at risk by being listed on the electoral roll. |
| Sisters Uncut demands that whoever is elected on the 8 June addresses the crisis in domestic violence services, in part by funding a women’s building on this site. Nationally, the government should commit to a long-term strategic plan for all domestic violence survivors. Survivors are not safe if services are not secure. | Sisters Uncut demands that whoever is elected on the 8 June addresses the crisis in domestic violence services, in part by funding a women’s building on this site. Nationally, the government should commit to a long-term strategic plan for all domestic violence survivors. Survivors are not safe if services are not secure. |
| • If you aren’t able to come along to the community festival but would like to support our work, we encourage people to donate via the PayPal link here: | • If you aren’t able to come along to the community festival but would like to support our work, we encourage people to donate via the PayPal link here: |