{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.024495677233429394, 'fraction_numerical': 0.002881844380403458, 'mean_word_length': 5.0964912280701755, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
The dialectics of subversion: prison theatre, human rights, and social justice

ABSTRACT I began my life as a prison theatre artist 25 years ago. Over the years, through first-hand experience with prisoners, their families, and others, I came to understand some of the more oppressive elements of the state prison system, and the relation of that system to the larger prison-industrial complex. This essay is a reflection on the key events and relationships that provoked me into critical awareness, engagement, and activism. I make the argument that a seemingly hyper-conservative prison theatre programme can in fact be an effective breeding ground for critical resistance and transformation.