Beyond Punishment and Control: Film, Conversations & Reimagining Ways of Being Together

“Abolition is about presence, not absence. It's about building life-affirming institutions” Ruth Wilson Gilmore.

"We are seeding the future including our next systems of justice with every action we take...our smallest choices today will become our next norms" adrienne maree brown

Three events, taking place on Saturday 4th and Saturday 18th June in Cardiff, explore themes of abolition alongside film, invited speakers and conversation:

How do we begin and continue a discussion together about abolition in Wales? What do activists mean when they say, abolish the police? Can we imagine beyond the need for policing, prisons and punishment? What can we learn from justice systems rooted in restoration rather than punishment? And how do we go about building the life affirming institutions that Ruth Wilson Gilmore speaks of? Can we re-imagine ways of being together?

Saturday 4th Jun, 2.30 - 7.30pm: Short films & Invited Speakers:
Bangladesh Community Centre, Machen Place, Riverside CF11 6EP
We're delighted to be welcoming Amahra Spence of Maia Group, Adeola Dewis of Laku Neg, and Tony Hendrickson of gentle/radical, to help us explore abolition - its contexts, its lineage, its implications, and what abolitionist practices might look like in every daily life. An afternoon of incredible speakers, short films, discussion, and food.

Saturday 18th Jun, 10.30am - 2.30pm: Exploring Transformative Justice: Short Films & Introductory Workshop
Wyndham Street Centre, Machen Place, Riverside, CF11 6DQ
Transformative Justice is a process that aims to equip communities with the tools to prevent and transform harm. This workshop will be an introduction to some of the principles around Transformative Justice, and a chance to explore and discuss together some of the issues connected to this key tool of abolitionist practice. Refreshments included. 
Lead by Ali Tamlit, founding member of Resist & Renew, and one of the Heathrow 13, Dr Joey Whitfield of Cardiff University and other contributors, this workshop is open to anyone interested in finding out more about Transformative Justice.

Saturday 18th Jun, 6.00pm - 9.30pm: Film Screening of 'The Prison in Twelve Landscapes'
Bangladesh Community Centre, Machen Place, Riverside CF11 6EP
A screening of Brett Story's The Prison in Twelve Landscapes, a film revealing the prison's myriad manifestations in twelve unexpected scenes across the US. With post-screening discussion and food.

Accessibility: Whilst both spaces are wheelchair accessible, the toilet at the Bangladesh Community Centre is not accessible. Please bare this in mind when booking tickets.