The topic of prison system in poland is still considered a social taboo and it is still common to paint a black picture of those behind bars. At the same time, the authorities are enforcing the policy of fear to justify the implementation of gradually more strict laws aiming at all those opposing their authoritarian intentions.

In west europe and the us the anti-prison campaigns are naturally connected with social fights in others fields: fighting for workers’ laws, fighting against land usurpation and elimination of small farmers, supporting immigrants, protecting environment, fighting for the tenants rights and many more. In poland if this topic exists at all, it is still a newborn rather than taking its toll.

Meanwhile, only in 2016 in poland more then 70 thousand people were imprisoned in 64 remand centres and 84 prisons.. What that system actually generates is more pathologies, deprivation of dignity, violence and modern slavery. This is not a joke – as many as 22,5% of those imprisoned are forced to work for free, and the new amendment to the prison system law, that have been forced through not long ago, will increase those numbers fast. Those imprisoned will have to work even more for the glory of capitalism, for the growth of “our” economy, similar to the prisoners building Kulczyk’s the so called “Highway of Freedom”. Does it constitute to conditions in which they are kept? By no means. They are still treated as an underclass, dregs of society to be ashamed of, to be stripped of what is left of their humanity, to be humiliated, beaten, abused, and deprived of hope. Is it still unbelievable that statistically every second day someone behind bars tried to commit suicide?

Do you think that living “outside” makes you a free person? Think again: how much time do you spend at work? How much time do you spend with your loved ones? How often do you have to sacrifice those relations in order to survive? And finally – do you really feel safe? How far can the forces go to control you? Here in poland, just a year ago, 3 new acts came into force turning the meaning of the word “freedom” into dust – the amendment to the police act (also known as the surveillance act), the anti-terrorist act and the public assemblies act. Statistics are clear – the brutality of police is increasing every year, and those responsible stay unpunished, e.g. as many as 98,7% charges pressed against police imposing statements with tortures did not end in indictment. Meanwhile, at the police stations, people are murdered; more criminal and minor offence cases are being issued for every resistance act: writing leaflets, participating in demonstrations or organizing events and actions.

We are not going to be passive any more! We need solidarity with those who are repressed, behind bars and those outside prisons, we need to build wide anti-repression structures. This is what we want to discuss during the 4th Anti-prison Days.

Repression are becoming more and more common.
To fight back we need to act together.
Until all of them are free, none of us is free.
Support your local ABC.

Join us during 4th Anti-prison Days!
27-29th October 2017
Przychodnia Squat // Cafe Kryzys

What is planned for 4th Anti-prison Days?

– meetings and discussion panels;
– anty-prison art gallery, an exhibition of works by artists involved in projects with prisoners;
– anti-prison movies screenings;
– writing letters to prisoners;
– collecting books for prisoners;
– soli tattos;
– ABC’s distro;
– soli party for ABC.