ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author aims to weave her personal experience of HMP Holloway, with the history of the challenge to the prison itself. A cruel irony of sorts is that despite the long history of reformist and abolitionist efforts centred around the sometimes distressingly harmful Holloway, its closure was not a moment to celebrate. Something about Holloway, its North London location notwithstanding, has always inspired women to organise and campaign for change; to get stuck in practically and provide support. Part of the history of the women’s movement is forever connected to the prison. During the intervening years between its foundation and the closure of Holloway, Women in Prison expanded and contracted, depending on whatever political and funding narratives were in fashion at the time. Like many other small to medium sized organisations, it changed somewhat in response to the needs of the women and somewhat in response to the organisation’s own survival.
