Care, Prison and Transformation

Relational Activism in Social Work

Opening Discussion: Teaching & Activism

Conversation with Lee: Care Experience, Prison, and Activism

Lee’s Background:

• Grew up in care, moving through 28+ placements.
• Entered the justice system at 17, receiving a 5-year sentence

Lee talks about:

• The Impact of the Fellowship & Retreat
• Reflects on the Justice System & Care Experience
• Describes the cycle of placement breakdowns leading to further instability.
• Critiques the justice system for failing to recognize trauma and providing inadequate mental health support.
• Notes how prison officers often viewed him as “a problem” rather than exploring underlying issues.

Reflections & Closing Thoughts:

Rich: Shares personal insights from retreat experiences, including the significance of eye contact in developing intimacy and emotional connection.

Tim: Celebrates Lee’s resilience and activism, highlighting his drive to influence change at both a grassroots and policy level. Emphasizes the importance of mutual support, professional collaboration, and finding strength in lived experience.

Eckhart Tolle Reflection:

“When you make friends with the present moment, you feel at home, no matter where you are.”

Key Takeaways:

• Care & Stability Matter: Placement moves impact trust and stability for young people.
• Prisons Need Trauma-Informed Approaches: Labeling and pathologizing behavior without support fuels further harm.
• Lived Experience is a Powerful Force for Change: People like Lee bring invaluable insights to reform efforts.
• Connection Heals: Simple, human interactions—whether in public living rooms or through eye contact—can be transformational.

Links:

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/
Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme
Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/
Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/
Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-devine-181763177/