{"id":52449,"date":"2023-01-04T22:49:42","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T22:49:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wagingnonviolence.org\/rs\/?p=52449"},"modified":"2023-01-11T15:36:18","modified_gmt":"2023-01-11T15:36:18","slug":"forging-human-connections-in-prison-even-when-the-system-treats-them-as-garbage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wagingnonviolence.org\/rs\/2023\/01\/forging-human-connections-in-prison-even-when-the-system-treats-them-as-garbage\/","title":{"rendered":"Forging human connections in prison \u2014 even when the system treats them as garbage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Often our social lives become limited due to intensive work periods, social media bubbles or social restrictions owing to the COVID pandemic. One of the more socially restricted environments is the total institution we call \u201cprison.\u201d Here I reminisce about the time I made a deep human connection during a long period of seclusion in prison. I was at Her Majesty\u2019s Prison Preston, U.K., during six months from Sept. 13, 1998, on charges of \u201cconspiracy to commit criminal damage\u201d to a Trident nuclear weapon submarine. See also the introduction<\/a> to this series of diary notes, and my reflections on prison as part of resistance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

October 15, 1998, <\/strong>
<\/strong>Her Majesty\u2019s Prison Preston, U.K.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 33 of imprisonment for a Plowshares disarmament action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today I was told I had a visitor. I waited in the visiting room but didn’t know who was coming. It was noisy; a lot of people talking, babies crying, announcements being made. A tall slender man with long black hair came up to me, stretched out his hand and said in broken English:<\/p>\n\n\n

Previous Coverage<\/h6>
  • \"\"<\/a> He went to prison for civil disobedience. His cell mate was convicted of murder. Together, they struggled with guilt and redemption.<\/a><\/li><\/section>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cHi Stellan! My name is Alexandro. I am from Italy but live in Preston. I am a priest of the Xavarians, a Catholic order.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We sat down in front of each other, separated by a long visitor\u2019s desk, and he continued: \u201cWe have contact with Liverpool Catholic Worker and Ciaron O`Reilly. When I heard that you were in prison here in Preston, I thought I should visit you. Hear how you feel.\u201d Alexandro spread his hands in a wide gesture and smiled warmly at me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThanks, I appreciate it. I do well here in prison even though my mood goes up and down. Do you know anything about prisons?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    His face turned somber, he hesitated for a second and then said, \u201dSome, but not English prisons. I am a priest and will soon be allowed to visit here regularly. If I only get my permit and keys, I will try to have regular conversations with those who want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWhat kind of prisons do you know then?\u201d I was now curious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201dI worked in Brazil before. Nine years. In the poor northeastern parts of the country. I was a priest but became so involved in the farmers\u2019 struggle for their rights that I was arrested during a land occupation. I spent a couple of weeks in jail before I was released,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Noam Chomsky, who I am very inspired by, believes that the poor farmers\u2019 land occupation movement is one of the most significant movements today in the world. I asked Alexandro if the movement is strong. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201dYes, we were a few thousand just during the land occupation I was with,\u201d Alexandro said. He straightened himself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n