Newsletter: 6 June 2017

The Holloway prison site has hit the headlines again after the visitors’ centre was occupied by feminist direct action group, Sisters Uncut last week. Activists ran a 7 day community festival from the site.

Sisters Uncut activist Aisha Streetson said,

‘We are reclaiming the former prison, a site of violence, to demand that public land is used for public good. Prisons are an inhumane response to social problems faced by vulnerable women – the government should provide a better answer.’

Community Plan for Holloway’s Will McMahon commented on the demonstration, encouraging as many people as possible to respond to our survey about the future use of the land. He also said it would make sense for the former visitors’ centre to be put to good use while a decision is made about the long term future of the prison.

What do you want to see at Holloway? We’ve had a fantastic response following the launch of our online survey in April. So far more than 180 people have been in touch to share their hopes for the future of the Holloway prison site.

But we want to hear ideas from even more people! If you haven’t already, then please complete the survey and help us to spread the word by sharing the link below.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Outreach: Throughout summer 2017 we will be working hard to encourage as many people as possible to respond to the survey. The responses we receive will create the framework for a community plan. We will then bring this back to the people of Islington to discuss in more detail in autumn 2017.

We are organising meetings and attending local events. Matt Ford is co-ordinating our outreach work, so drop him an email if you can help. We are also drawing up an information pack for local groups and organisations to host discussion workshops.

If you are involved in a local group and would like to host a meeting to discuss the future of the Holloway site, then please get in touch.

Please help us by….

  1. Distributing small postcards (download here or email Matt Ford with and we can arrange delivery to you)
  2. Displaying a poster (download)
  3. Telling your friends, neighbours, family and colleagues about Community Plan for Holloway

And before you go … please don’t forget to share the survey link amongst your networks. We want to gather as many views as possible!