'Our system appears to have been designed centuries ago by men, for men'

摘要

Half one - unlock time in HMP Downview. Prisoners leave their cells, walk through the wings and across the exercise yard to their places of work and activity. As the new cohort of attendees arrive for the Trauma Stabilisation Group,I feel nervously excited about co-facilitating the group. It is my job to help provide an understanding about the psychological impact of trauma, outline common symptoms, and teach safe grounding techniques. As one group member shares her abusive upbringing, violent partner, drug usage to numb herself to this and the cycle of crime to fund it, I am struck by two things. One, a sense of privilege in being able to help provide support that will hopefully prevent repeated cycles of exclusion, suffering and crime. Two, an overwhelming sense of familiarity... I've heard variations of this story from so many previous inmates.