Prison Journalism Project

Before My Time in Hospice, I Never Considered Dying Alone The incarcerated care workers of No One Dies Alone, at Carole Young Medical Facility, changed how one woman thought about dying in prison.

The incarcerated care workers of No One Dies Alone changed how I thought about dying in prison.

A Secret Survey From Inside a Women’s Prison Tells Stories of Domestic Abuse Untold in Court From inside a women’s prison in Oklahoma, a domestic violence survivor began collecting other prisoners’ stories of abuse. Their accounts helped shape a new Oklahoma law intended to reduce their sente...

A Secret Survey From Inside a Women’s Prison Tells Stories of Domestic Abuse Untold in Court. Story via @propublica.org.

What Happens to Our Prisons If America Is Invaded? While the U.S. government seems to have crisis contingency plans for an enemy invasion, what will happen to our prisons?

"In my prison, we’ve been debating the following question: What would the U.S. government do with our prison populations in the event of a large war or enemy invasion?" #2022

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Hi Bluesky, we’re hard at work on an illustrated newsletter that brings our contributors’ lived experience journalism to life through art. Join the list to get the first issue in your inbox when it debuts.

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Suicide Hotline Now Available in Washington State Prisons Some welcome the hotline, but others fear punishment for sharing their thoughts.

A suicide hotline is now available in Washington state prisons
Some welcome the resource while others fear violations of privacy and punishment for sharing their thoughts.

Caring for Wildlife in Prison Makes Us Feel More Human My prison is surrounded by woods. Nature and animals keep us grounded and help us develop compassion.

"I wish you could know the way people in prison light up at the sight of animals."

What Happens to Our Prisons If America Is Invaded? While the U.S. government seems to have crisis contingency plans for an enemy invasion, what will happen to our prisons?

"In my prison, we’ve been debating the following question: What would the U.S. government do with our prison populations in the event of a large war or enemy invasion?" #2022

Hello!!

6 Stories on Love and Intimacy in Prison These six stories from Prison Journalism Project writers tackle love and relationships, both inside and beyond the walls

It’s Hard to Fall in Love or Stay in Love in Prison

An Agonizing Road to a Cancer Diagnosis In Prison He fought for years to have his extreme discomfort taken seriously. After invasive procedures and callous care, was it too late?

"After nearly four hours in surgery, I burrowed my way back to consciousness, only to find one of my arms and a leg shackled to the hospital bed," writes Broadway.

Morning Routines and Other Strategies for Finding Peace in Prison Maintaining your composure in prison is one thing, but finding peace is something else. I interviewed men at my prison about their approaches.

Morning Routines in Prison? That’s One Way to Find Peace in Prison

Memories From the Prison Cell, After Three Decades Inside Life in a cell — where you both sleep, eat and use the bathroom — can be hard. But there are also moments of tenderness.

What It’s Like to Share a Prison Cell

Q&A: Kwaneta Harris on the Black History That Shaped Her "I am perceived as a Black woman before I am perceived as an American, before I am perceived as a journalist, before I am perceived as human."

"A guard said 'Happy James Earl Ray Day" on Dr. [Martin Luther] King’s holiday. Another asked whether Black people even celebrate Father’s Day — because 'they don’t know their fathers.' I was raised in Detroit, baptized in Black history. Entering a Texas prison was a cultural collision."

Cancer in Confinement PJP writers on suffering from the leading killers in behind bars — a problem of neglect, delayed care, and poor coordination

My now-deceased friend Richard was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. However, he wasn’t told about the diagnosis until nearly a year and a half later. He had been told that nothing was wrong with him, and that he should purchase the generic Pepto-Bismol or Mylanta-type products from the commissary.

How Jobs Work In Pennsylvania Prisons Kitchen, laundry, maintenance, peer support and more.

PJP contributor Jeffery shares the resume he’s built up while doing time.

This Is the Most Demeaning Act I Experience in Prison A cavity search in prison has become a routine procedure after outside visits. Some guys resist them, but I've become desensitized.

I have experienced cavity searches for 15 years. They are cruel, invasive, and dehumanizing.

Donate | Prison Journalism Project Prison Journalism Project is supported by people like you. Support Prison Journalism Project today.

We are an independent national nonprofit initiative that trains incarcerated writers in the tools of journalism and publishes their stories. If you'd like to support or work, click below ⤵️

When Kittens Came to My Prison, I Had Not Petted One in 15 Years I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass.

I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange cat wandered over to sit with me in the grass.

Support independent journalism by incarcerated writers.

Memories From the Prison Cell, After Three Decades Inside Life in a cell — where you both sleep, eat and use the bathroom — can be hard. But there are also moments of tenderness.

Memories From the Prison Cell, After Three Decades Inside

Morning Routines and Other Strategies for Finding Peace in Prison Maintaining your composure in prison is one thing, but finding peace is something else. I interviewed men at my prison about their approaches.

Morning Routines in Prison? That’s One Way to Find Peace in Prison

PJP Writers on the Black History That Inspires Them PJP contributors share movies, music and books from Black history that have helped shape their writing.

For Black History Month, Black contributors share the movies, music and books that have shaped their writing.

This is a great diagram. I know Bluesky folks understand this but so many don’t know why we need to support local journalism.

"The ignorance wasn’t accidental. It was manufactured, systemic, deliberate. I realized someone had to document these moments, these casual cruelties disguised as curiosity. Writing became my resistance. Every incident that should have broken me instead became evidence," writes Kwaneta.

Q&A: Kwaneta Harris on the Black History That Shaped Her "I am perceived as a Black woman before I am perceived as an American, before I am perceived as a journalist, before I am perceived as human."

"A guard said 'Happy James Earl Ray Day" on Dr. [Martin Luther] King’s holiday. Another asked whether Black people even celebrate Father’s Day — because 'they don’t know their fathers.' I was raised in Detroit, baptized in Black history. Entering a Texas prison was a cultural collision."

Join @calmatters.org's for The Evolution of Crime and Punishment in California: What’s Next?, a conversation about the future of criminal justice in the Golden State. Joe Gracia, a former PJP correspondent, is one of the panelists.

🗓 Feb 25, 2026 | 11:30am–1:30pm
📍 Virtual & In-person

Details ⤵️

“I was raised in Detroit, baptized in Black history. Entering a Texas prison was a cultural collision. The ignorance wasn’t accidental. It was manufactured, systemic, deliberate... Writing became my resistance.“ @kwanetaharris.bsky.social

How Prison Prepared Us to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse Two people in prison explain how the years they have spent behind bars have taught them to handle anything, even the undead.

How Prison Prepared Us to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse

Truthout is grateful to open submissions for the sixth annual Keeley Schenwar Memorial Essay Prize. The prize is awarded for essays authored by currently incarcerated and formerly incarcerated writers. bit.ly/KeeleyPrize

Memories From the Prison Cell, After Three Decades Inside Life in a cell — where you both sleep, eat and use the bathroom — can be hard. But there are also moments of tenderness.

What It’s Like to Share a Prison Cell