<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/19/climate-activist-experience-jail-prison-uk>
"I remember the day I was sentenced like it was yesterday. I was filled with
anxiety the entire time. It’s a strange situation to be in, not knowing whether
or not you’d have your liberty at the end of the day, or for how long it might
be taken away. My mind was racing and I had no idea how to operate.
At the moment the judge read out my sentence, I felt so many things at once.
Sadness, strength and some relief, if I’m honest. Simply because the
uncertainty was gone. I stood up and blew kisses to my family and partner who
were sitting in the gallery. I wanted them to know that I was going to be OK.
But I didn’t look at the judge. I wanted those precious moments to be shared
with the people I love. As I walked down to the court cells, my eyes filled
with tears. I didn’t know when I’d see any of them next and I didn’t know what
the next few months would bring.
My first few days in jail felt like weeks. It was the end of summer and it was
something like 30 degrees at HMP Chelmsford. The heating was on constantly and
the tiny windows offered no relief. The Olympics were on, so I and my
co-defendant, who I was sharing with, spent our time watching and re-enacting
the events in our hot, sweaty cell. I’ll always be grateful for his company
during that time. It was the first time in prison for both of us so we were
able to work through it together.
It took several weeks to sort out communication with my family. Several times
my application forms would get lost or forgotten about by staff.
I was hungry a lot of the time, too: vegan options weren’t on the menu, so
often I’d have digestive biscuits for dinner and eat my cereal with water
rather than milk. I didn’t kick up too much of a fuss. I was new on the wing
and I knew that prison wasn’t going to be particularly nice.
I was sustained by the belief that a better future is possible. I fought for
it, and now, as a result, I’ve been sent to prison. But I wasn’t going to let
the experience break me."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
