In this episode of Prison Radio we are joined by Sarah and Nala, members of Barton Prisoner Solidarity Project, a group that works to support prisons inside Barton Prison (Hamilton, ON) and report on conditions inside. Sarah and Nala speak about how Barton Prisoner Solidarity gets in contact with people on the inside, the difference between advocacy work vs. solidarity work, current issues with bail (being held in remand), and give advice to folks interested in doing similar abolitionist work for the first time.
You can learn more about Barton Prisoner Solidarity Project on Facebook and Instagram @bartonprisonersolidarity. Check out their zine, Practical Abolition From the Inside Out: Reflections on Prisoner Solidarity Organizing, on Its Going Down’s website here.
Afterwards we share Kevin Rashid Johnson’s reporting on Red Onion State Prison (Wise County, Virginia). Johnson is a writer, artist, revolutionary, founding member of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party, and member of the Incarcerated Worker Organizing Committee. Visit his website here for his most recent writing and reporting. You can also visit The Jericho Movement’s website here for information on how to write him and oppose his (and all) incarceration.
Finally, we end the episode with part of Nala’s DJ set, Born in Flames.
Prison Radio & Calls from Home airs every second Wednesday at 7pm on CFRC, 101.9fm in and around Kingston and online at cfrc.ca. Prison Radio features interviews and analysis focused on prisons, abolition, and related topics. Calls from Home serves as a connection platform linking local incarcerated people, and friends, family, and loved ones on the outside. Folks can call, email or mail-in messages and requests anytime before the show, and we will read or play messages and song requests live on-air. To leave a message or send a request for the next Calls from Home episode, call 613-917-1390, or email cfrcprisonradio@riseup.net. You can also mail-in your messages to:
Calls From Home / Prison Radio
CFRC Radio
62 Fifth Field Company Lane
Lower Carruthers Hall
Queens University
Kingston ON
K7L 3N6
Songs from this episode include:
“Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Fight Song” by Hot 8 Brass Band
a short snippet from “Prison Song” remixed by Saketh Sai
“Free ‘Em All” by Mic Crenshaw and David Rovics feat. Opium Sabbah
“Born in Flames” by Nomad Nala (available on Mixcloud)