Women Strike Out – Holloway Prison

Around forty or fifty demonstrators made their presence known throughout this afternoon outside Holloway Women’s Prison, North London, using the medium of a NOISE demo. Drums, whistles, spoons, plates and lentils all contributed towards attracting support from passing motorists and police vehicles. Indeed, one police car with Metropolitan Police pulled up to find out more about what was going on – police officer TD 430 told us he was impressed with this “peaceful demonstration” and said that he “could not see any laws being broken” although suggested we avoid obstructing completely the footpath. He and his companion were amazed to find out that Holloway is one of the largest prisons for women in the country, and the only one in London. Hundreds of inmates are incarcerated there, with lock downs lasting many hours due to inadequate staffing levels. Women are denied basic human rights, and separated from their children – despite the fact that there is a women and children’s unit at Holloway: it is always full, and the waiting list to get in is lengthy.

The demonstration had started early, around about 1.30 pm. But it wasn’t until after 4 pm that a prison vehicle carrying at least 2 women tried to get into the grounds. This was initially stopped by a line of noisy women demonstrators, who subsequently moved when asked to by the police. The van moved forward, accompanied on either side by demonstrators, and then was halted again. There was banging from the inside of the van; the response from outside was immensely supportive. But then the police – now feeling stronger due to increased numbers (by the end, there were 8 police cars and 1 police van for a mere twenty protestors!) felt that they were justified in making arrests. Two individuals were targeted and briefly arrested, but then were successfully de-arrested immediately by the other women present.

The demonstration moved off down Parkhurst Road, stopping off briefly to inspect the kitchens in the local Territorial Army Unit based further down the road. These just about passed muster – the local bomb disposal unit having scurried around rapidly in advance to impress the women. Someone described as a “rather camp, mustachioed officer” then appeared “choking with rage” but unable to speak!! The women said their goodbyes and left.

Onwards, to the Radical Dairy in Stoke Newington where the weekend will be packed with events organized as part of the Women Strike Out 2002 International Women’s Weekend.