Reference Subject Guide: Abolition

an academic subject guide for budding abolitionists

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Reference Subject Guide: Abolition

Prison abolition has become a hot topic amongst revolutionary circles. As activists try to identify and combat the symptoms of late stage capitalism, the prison-industrial complex is the root cause of most, if not all, the struggles we face in the movement for collective liberation. As abolition during the last century was most centered around ending slavery, modern abolitionism is mainly involved with ridding society of policing and carceral punishment.

This guide will serve to share books, databases, journals, and more about what abolition is and how to take action. Whether studying academically or casually, there is a wealth of information about how abolition has evolved into what it is today.

Works Cited:

Abolition, abolitionjournal.org/. 

Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow. The New Press, 2020. 

Anderson, Ashlei. “Prison Abolition Is Needed Now: Prisons and Jails Do Not Keep Anyone Safe.” Prison Abolition Is Needed Now: Prisons and Jails Do Not Keep Anyone Safe | Georgetown Journal of Law & Modern Critical Race Perspectives | Georgetown Law, www.law.georgetown.edu/mcrp-journal/blog/prison-abolition-is-needed-now-prisons-and-jails-do-not-keep-anyone-safe/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024. 

“The Banned Books in Your State Prisons: Search Engine & Database by the Marshall Project.” Critical Resistance, 2022, criticalresistance.org/resources/banned-books-database-tmp/. 

Burns, Sarah. The Central Park Five: The Untold Story behind One of New York City’s Most Infamous Crimes. Vintage Books, 2012. 

Coyle, Michael J., and David Scott. The Routledge International Handbook of Penal Abolition. Taylor & Francis Group, 2021. 

Davis, Angela  Y. “Race, Class and Incarceration.” Spotify, 1 Jan. 1999, open.spotify.com/track/4ZOXrjW4v7SWDqrvuuPaSK?si=B9x3trszRWCG_tfl1zOXjw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4CAWyoeSPevGr4NyTD9U3U. 

DuVernay, Ava, director. 13th. Kandoo Films, 2016. 

“A Guide to Books on Prison Abolition (Intro).” Abolition Notes, abolitionnotes.org/prison-abolition-books. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024. 

Hartnett, Stephen J. Challenging the Prison-Industrial Complex: Activism, Arts, and Educational Alternatives. University of Illinois Press, 2011. 

Knopp, Fay Honey, et al. Instead of Prisons: A Handbook for Abolitionists. Critical Resistance, 2005. 

Law, Victoria. “Rethinking Incarceration.” Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, 2022, www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/news-and-ideas/rethinking-incarceration. 

McLeod, Allegra M. Prison Abolition and Grounded Justice - UCLA Law Review, 2015, www.uclalawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/McLeod_6.2015.pdf. 

Revolutionary Study Guide, 2016, dialecticalartist.wordpress.com/politicalresources/. 

Scott, David, and Emma Bell. Against Imprisonment: An Anthology of Abolitionist Essays. Waterside Press, 2018. 

Smith, Tiana. The Prison Abolition Movement (1985- ) •, 6 Feb. 2020, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/prison-abolition-movement-1985/. 

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Rethinking Incarceration

Victoria Law writes a riveting piece explaining what abolition is and what it looks like in action. Law also shares insight into pivotal abolitionist movements. The page also links a speech by Angela Davis to further provide the reader with more resources to continue their research.

Law, Victoria. “Rethinking Incarceration.” Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, 2022, www.radcliffe.harvard.edu/news-and-ideas/rethinking-incarceration. 

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Revolutionary Study Guide (bountayy)

This comprehensive source of completely free literature not only includes pieces on abolition, but also Marxist titles, articles and resources on mobilizing for Palestinian liberation and global issues. Since 2016, this guide has been embodying the spirit of socialism and community care.

Revolutionary Study Guide, 2016, dialecticalartist.wordpress.com/politicalresources/

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Prison Abolition and Grounded Justice - UCLA Law Review

This impressive piece from UCLA Law Review by Allegra McLeod is an academic exploration of abolition as an ideology and tangible goal for modern society. The article specifically talks of the argument of reform versus abolition, which has become even more argued since the insurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. McLeod also thoughtfully lays out a plan of action that can be taken on the judicial frontlines.

McLeod, Allegra M. Prison Abolition and Grounded Justice - UCLA Law Review, 2015, www.uclalawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/McLeod_6.2015.pdf. 

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Instead of Prisons

With an introduction by Critical Resistance, Instead of Prisons offers a framework for organizers to take action. Over three decades since it was first published, it’s relevance today is ever present. Praised by Howard Zinn and Angela Davis, the information shared in this book has the stamp of approval by leaders in the abolitionist movement.

Knopp, Fay Honey, et al. Instead of Prisons: A Handbook for Abolitionists. Critical Resistance, 2005. 

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Challenging the Prison-Industrial Complex: Activism, Arts, and Educational Alternatives

Taking the lead from experts and activists, Challenging the Prison-Industrial Complex: Activism, Arts, and Educational Alternatives, a powerful collection of essays, shows how we can collectively empower prisoners instead of punishing them. Emphasizing the need for rehabilitation in place of torture and detention, these essays present a blueprint for organizers and citizens to come together toned dismantle the prison-industrial complex.

Hartnett, Stephen J. Challenging the Prison-Industrial Complex: Activism, Arts, and Educational Alternatives. University of Illinois Press, 2011. 

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A Guide to Books on Prison Abolition (Intro).

Abolition Notes provides an extensive guide with titles mentioned here, as well as less popular books with useful information on abolition and organizing. The list also includes films, podcasts, ad even more guides on related subjects. Also included is a resource for locating the books on the list at Black owned and worker owned bookstores.

“A Guide to Books on Prison Abolition (Intro).” Abolition Notes, abolitionnotes.org/prison-abolition-books. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

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13th

In the aftermath of the public l*nching of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, many Americans were unsure of where we should go next as a society that could allow his executioner to walk free. Ava DuVernay’s exposé of the prison-industrial complex provides context for the nation to consider in their efforts toward collective liberation. Exploring the history of American slavery and the civil rights movement of the 60s to our current political situation to dreaming about the future of what abolition can look like in America, DuVernay shares a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

DuVernay, Ava, director. 13th. Kandoo Films, 2016. 

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Race, Class and Incarceration.

Angela Davis has been a political activist and leader in the abolition movement, as well as an advocate for several other causes surrounding collective liberation, for decades. A number of her speeches can be found on Spotify and listened to as podcasts. This particular episode is one in a series related to the intersectionalities of the struggles of marginalized communities across the globe.

Davis, Angela  Y. “Race, Class and Incarceration.” Spotify, 1 Jan. 1999, open.spotify.com/track/4ZOXrjW4v7SWDqrvuuPaSK?si=B9x3trszRWCG_tfl1zOXjw&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4CAWyoeSPevGr4NyTD9U3U.

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The Routledge International Handbook of Penal Abolition is a great resource, not only for learning more about the movement for abolition, but also for learning how to organize and take action. While the handbook takes a global approach, the nformation is useful for organizing on American soil as well.

Coyle, Michael J., and David Scott. The Routledge International Handbook of Penal Abolition. Taylor & Francis Group, 2021.

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The Central Park Five: The Untold Story behind One of New York City’s Most Infamous Crimes

The Central Park Five case is one of the most known in modern history, even after their innocence was proven and the men were exonerated. Sarah Burns retelling of the case gives a new perspective to five young Black boys who were victimized by over-policing and prison-industrial complex and were unjustly prosecuted. The Central Park Five: The Untold Story behind One of New York City’s Most Infamous Crimes is a powerful resource to learn more about the local political landscape in NYC surrounding carceral punishment and its weaponization against Black people.

Burns, Sarah. The Central Park Five: The Untold Story behind One of New York City’s Most Infamous Crimes. Vintage Books, 2012. 

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From The Marshall Project: Banned Books Database

Critical Resistance is an abolitionist grassroots organization. In December of 2022, after the release of a list of banned books within prison was shared, Critical Resistance and The Marshall Project worked together to provide a search engine and database of these materials. Users can sort by state to see what the policies regarding literature behind bars are like near them. CR says they created this tool “so you can see for yourself which books prisons don’t want incarcerated people to read.”

“The Banned Books in Your State Prisons: Search Engine & Database by the Marshall Project.” Critical Resistance, 2022, criticalresistance.org/resources/banned-books-database-tmp/.

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From the Georgetown Journal of Law and Modern Critical Race Perspectives, Ashley Anderson writes a compelling entry about the dangers to humanity lurking inside Rikers. As the Shut Down Rikers Movement gains momentum, more and more of the public are being introduced to its horrors. For academics and casual readers seeking more knowledge on why Rikers should be disassembled, Anderson’s Prison Abolition Is Needed Now helps to thoroughly explain the inhumane conditions within Rikers, as well as detention facilities across the nation.

Anderson, Ashlei. “Prison Abolition Is Needed Now: Prisons and Jails Do Not Keep Anyone Safe.” Prison Abolition Is Needed Now: Prisons and Jails Do Not Keep Anyone Safe | Georgetown Journal of Law & Modern Critical Race Perspectives | Georgetown Law, www.law.georgetown.edu/mcrp-journal/blog/prison-abolition-is-needed-now-prisons-and-jails-do-not-keep-anyone-safe/. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024. 

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The New Jim Crow

Michelle Alexander dares to explore modern carceral punishment in The New Jim Crow. Finding that the current prison-industrial complex is reminiscent of the late nineteenth century’s systemic racism, Alexander sheds light on the underbelly of the American “justice” system. Critically acclaimed and highly decorated, this is an excellent starting point for budding abolitionists.

Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow. The New Press, 2020.

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With their latest issue published in 2020, Abolition houses zines, blog posts, and resources surrounding abolition for curious minds interested in learning more. On both a global and national scale, there are plenty of avenues on the site in which to conduct further research. While the journal has fallen into inactivity, there are still several useful resources available, including Abolition’s own manifesto.

Abolition, 18 Dec. 2023, abolitionjournal.org/.