Our eyes turn naturally towards the future. But an activity report is an invitation to look backwards. To take stock of the road travelled, whether it was linear or winding. The rear view mirror is useful.
We did truly commendable work in 2017. Despite paltry resources, we were able to significantly increase the number of countries with access to information, we shared important first-hand accounts (including those that Michel Foucault’s Prison Information Group [GIP] considered the driving force behind its arguments), we published new images that might be even more meaningful than our reports, and we made so many posts that the site, in its current state, could fall into disarray.
Our work is challenging and thankless but necessary. We know that it will only be recognised and appreciated once we reach a conclusion of some kind, whether in terms of volume produced or of overall quality. But we have laid the groundwork.
We would like to salute those that do not flock to join the winning side. They belong to a bright galaxy that includes a small team of permanent members, multiple correspondents and contributors, administrators, volunteers, donors, a few foundations and patrons (who contribute skills, material support and financial resources), the first communities, first institutions, and sponsors. We would also like to mention those who made contributions before leaving to explore different horizons.
Like so many others, we do not resign ourselves to horror. As you are reading these words, horror is still lurking deep inside dark dungeons, walled up like tombs, so we are lighting storm lanterns. To bring it out into the open.
