Nothing warms my heart more than the selflessness of good people doing good deeds for our sisters and brothers in prison. I was especially pleased to be invited by Tabitha Lean to join her community initiative with Tess Cunningham to make and send Christmas cards to people in South Australian prisons.
We are thinking about you. We stand by you in solidarity. That’s the message that this initiative intends to send to recipients of these cards.
When I asked Tabitha how the project began, she explained that it started as a way to create connection, to give people on the outside a way to show solidarity with those on the inside and to offer an act of community care during a time that can feel especially isolating.
“We want people inside to know there’s always someone waiting for them on the outside – a whole community who cares,” she said.
Tabitha goes on to explain what inspires her to do this work: “Liberation. I’m focused on freedom for all of us, on ending incarceration and on building a world where people are held in care, safety and abundance instead.” By this, she means a world where everyone’s needs are met, where people are supported, not punished, and where communities have what they need to thrive rather than just survive.
Prior to my imprisonment, I had not heard about the Abolition Movement. In simple terms, the movement seeks to end the reliance on authority, punishment and prisons to address issues within our communities.
My conversations with Tabitha have taught me that abolition is a practice of community, by showing up for one another with care and accountability. It is not about charity or profit but about solidarity. Abolitionists do not exploit the vulnerability of incarcerated people or turn to the state to mediate conflicts. Instead, they work to resolve harm collectively, holding each other accountable with compassion.
The Christmas card initiative is one of many great projects undertaken by the South Australia Abolition Movement. The initiative has brought people from many areas of our community together to make cards, yarn with each other, strengthen bonds and, most importantly, show solidarity and love to those in prison over the Christmas period.
Tabitha goes on to explain what inspires her to do this work: “Liberation. I’m focused on freedom for all of us, on ending incarceration and on building a world where people are held in care, safety and abundance instead.” By this, she means a world where everyone’s needs are met, where people are supported, not punished, and where communities have what they need to thrive rather than just survive.
Prior to my imprisonment, I had not heard about the Abolition Movement. In simple terms, the movement seeks to end the reliance on authority, punishment and prisons to address issues within our communities.
My conversations with Tabitha have taught me that abolition is a practice of community, by showing up for one another with care and accountability. It is not about charity or profit but about solidarity. Abolitionists do not exploit the vulnerability of incarcerated people or turn to the state to mediate conflicts. Instead, they work to resolve harm collectively, holding each other accountable with compassion.
The Christmas card initiative is one of many great projects undertaken by the South Australia Abolition Movement. The initiative has brought people from many areas of our community together to make cards, yarn with each other, strengthen bonds and, most importantly, show solidarity and love to those in prison over the Christmas period.
