/ 2011 / Press / Political

The Prison Without Bars

  • Prize
    Gold in Press/Political, Bronze in Press/Political
  • Photographer
    James Mackay, United Kingdom
  • Website

Images taken from the long term documentary project "The Prison Without Bars" that documents the lives of Burma's former political prisoners (both inside Burma and those forced into exile) once released from prison as they try to rebuild their lives in the face of ongoing oppression and fear of re-arrest by the authorities. Almost all have suffered severe torture during their times in prison and pictured here is Tun Lin Kyaw, former bodyguard of Aung San Suu Kyi who lost two thirds of his right lung due to the torture and sever beatings he received in prison. He now lives in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border surviving on less than $1 per day and must tend to his own open wounds each day with basic medical supplies that he is able to get.

James Mackay is a documentary photographer based in South East Asia and the UK. His work specialises in Burma, both undercover in-country and around political and human rights issues along it's borders and those in exile around the world.

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