The Abolitionist Rhizome

This chapter introduces and contextualizes the rest of the book. It starts by introducing the concept of the abolitionist rhizome – that there are different roots of and routes to penal abolition. It then discusses the following 13 chapters in the four parts of the book. The first substantive section provides a discussion of the strategic importance of hearing the voices of people directly oppressed, introducing the first three substantive chapters (Chapters 2–4). It then considers the next four contributions in this volume, which highlight the development and diversity of penal abolitionist ideas (Chapters 5–8). Next, it reflects on the three chapters detailing the scope of oppression and abolitionist responses (Chapters 9–11) and then concludes with a consideration of the final three chapters of the book (Chapters 12–14), which are focused on the ongoing struggle for liberation and justice.