Oct 15, 2021
This show featured the story of Lucas, a prisoner currently incarcerated at Bordeaux Prison on the island of Montreal. Lucas tells us about experiencing constant lockdowns at Bordeaux, filing grievances to figure out why the lockdowns were happening, and then getting roughed up by the guards as a result of his willingness to push back against the situation. We also interviewed Amelia, a NYC resident and volunteer at Rikers Island Prison, who told us about the situation at Rikers, where prisoners currently face ongoing food shortages, lack of medical attention, and an increase in prisoner deaths in the last year. The two stories felt connected through their relation to an ongoing "labour shortage" with the guards, which Amelia reframed as a worker slow down that is part of long standing attempts by guards unions to increase guard pay and benefits.