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Prison Journalism Project

@prisonjournalism.bsky.social

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An independent national nonprofit initiative that trains incarcerated writers in the tools of journalism and publishes their stories. Subscribe: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/newsletter/?utm_campaign=Bluesky_Profile

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Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"After about two weeks it hit me like a sword strike to the throat: we are all gonna die and that is a simple fact of physical existence. As for me, I’m already on Death Row which puts my death right there in my face."

Dying in the Samurai Way

I came across a passage in a book called "Hagakure, The Book of the Samurai," that states, “Meditation on inevitable death should be...

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

"In 2010, my eldest daughter, Danielle Thomas, died in a fatal automobile accident at the age of 25. As a loving dad, I never contemplated my child dying before me. Nor had I imagined the devastation I would feel not being permitted to attend her funeral services."

In One Alabama Prison, the Dead Are Honored Through an ‘Outmate’ Memorial Service

Memorial services are held for the dead at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama. It’s called the Outmate Memorial Service.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

A Missed Chance to End the Damage of Unconstitutional Jury Verdicts

Louisiana Lets a Relic of Jim Crow Stand

A proposed Louisiana law almost allowed people convicted by split juries before 2019 to challenge those convictions. Then the legislation died.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"After about two weeks it hit me like a sword strike to the throat: we are all gonna die and that is a simple fact of physical existence. As for me, I’m already on Death Row which puts my death right there in my face."

Dying in the Samurai Way

I came across a passage in a book called "Hagakure, The Book of the Samurai," that states, “Meditation on inevitable death should be...

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 18h

Chain-link cages. Flooded tents. Clouds of mosquitoes. Malfunctioning AC. Scarce food. Zero recreational time: Inside the hell of Alligator Alcatraz.

Inside the hell of Alligator Alcatraz

Despite shocking conditions and rampant “psychological warfare,” copycats are popping up around the country.

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 19h

Lockdowns Occur Far Too Often in This Federal Prison

Lockdowns Occur Far Too Often in This Federal Prison

In a compound with almost 1,300 women, we are sometimes locked down for the smallest reasons.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

Why are incarcerated people dying from lack of food or water, even as private companies are paid millions for their care? Story via @newyorker.com

Starved in Jail

Why are incarcerated people dying from lack of food or water, even as private companies are paid millions for their care?

www.newyorker.com

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

"In 2010, my eldest daughter, Danielle Thomas, died in a fatal automobile accident at the age of 25. As a loving dad, I never contemplated my child dying before me. Nor had I imagined the devastation I would feel not being permitted to attend her funeral services."

In One Alabama Prison, the Dead Are Honored Through an ‘Outmate’ Memorial Service

Memorial services are held for the dead at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Alabama. It’s called the Outmate Memorial Service.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"We are only allowed to own seven pairs [of underwear] in total. In order to exchange your state-allotted pairs for new ones, you must submit to a bunk search and an officer must verify to the property officer that you do not own more than seven pairs."

What It's Like to Have Your Period in Prison

Even at a women’s prison, your menstruation care needs may not be met.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

An Idaho prison fund, which receives millions of dollars each year, used to provide things like gym equipment and religious materials. Those days are long gone.

A Prison Fund Is Supposed to Benefit Incarcerated People in Idaho. Has That Changed?

In the past few years, residents at an Idaho prison have wondered how their basic needs are being met after cuts to educational and religious supplies, gym equipment and movie time.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Paula Carlson 🇨🇦 @thepaulacarlson.bsky.social · 2d

“It was like I had been reborn to the world or the world reborn to me. In death, I found life, peace, happiness and contentment.”

Amazing piece by Bob R. Williams Jr.

The power of writing transcends prison walls ✍️

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"After about two weeks it hit me like a sword strike to the throat: we are all gonna die and that is a simple fact of physical existence. As for me, I’m already on Death Row which puts my death right there in my face."

Dying in the Samurai Way

I came across a passage in a book called "Hagakure, The Book of the Samurai," that states, “Meditation on inevitable death should be...

prisonjournalismproject.org

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

A Missed Chance to End the Damage of Unconstitutional Jury Verdicts

Louisiana Lets a Relic of Jim Crow Stand

A proposed Louisiana law almost allowed people convicted by split juries before 2019 to challenge those convictions. Then the legislation died.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

I'm re-visiting the piece and had to stop because tearing up.

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

"In jail footage that I reviewed, obtained by Budge & Heipt, she realized that she’d knocked over a precious cup of water with her foot, tried to drink from it, and curled up in a fetal position when she found that it was empty. Another day, she screamed & waved her arms, seeking help from a nurse."

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

Thank you for reading and re-sharing, Paula!

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 1d

"Barlow-Austin had serious health issues that the jail’s private operator and medical contractor, LaSalle Corrections, neglected to treat, leading to sudden blindness. She found it difficult to locate the food and water in her cell and began to go without it."

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

An Idaho prison fund, which receives millions of dollars each year, used to provide things like gym equipment and religious materials. Those days are long gone.

A Prison Fund Is Supposed to Benefit Incarcerated People in Idaho. Has That Changed?

In the past few years, residents at an Idaho prison have wondered how their basic needs are being met after cuts to educational and religious supplies, gym equipment and movie time.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

I'm the back-of-the-house tutor in the prison’s food technology and hospitality vocational class. Here's why it's the most coveted job in the Michigan prison system.

The Most Coveted Job in the Michigan Prison System

As a chef tutor in prison, I teach people how to handle food safely, and how to cook and bake. It has lots of perks, but the pay is still abysmal.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 4d

PJP's @profpasha.bsky.social talks about the importance of prison journalism and why incarcerated people deserve their stories to be just as loud as everyone else.

Why we need prison journalism | Shaheen Pasha | TEDxPSU

YouTube video by TEDx Talks

www.youtube.com

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"After about two weeks it hit me like a sword strike to the throat: we are all gonna die and that is a simple fact of physical existence. As for me, I’m already on Death Row which puts my death right there in my face."

Dying in the Samurai Way

I came across a passage in a book called "Hagakure, The Book of the Samurai," that states, “Meditation on inevitable death should be...

prisonjournalismproject.org

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

Why are incarcerated people dying from lack of food or water, even as private companies are paid millions for their care? Story via @newyorker.com

Starved in Jail

Why are incarcerated people dying from lack of food or water, even as private companies are paid millions for their care?

www.newyorker.com

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"We are only allowed to own seven pairs [of underwear] in total. In order to exchange your state-allotted pairs for new ones, you must submit to a bunk search and an officer must verify to the property officer that you do not own more than seven pairs."

What It's Like to Have Your Period in Prison

Even at a women’s prison, your menstruation care needs may not be met.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · Apr 4

"Perhaps prison would have persisted this way forever. Perhaps our granite hearts and iron wills would have never crumbled. Perhaps the prison mentality, that we be cold and heartless, would have endured.

Perhaps. But then there were kittens."

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.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

"... I have worked in this full-service kitchen nine hours a day, five days a week. I’ve learned directly underneath a master chef and have perfected my skills cooking dozens and dozens of dishes and creating over 50 of my own recipes."

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 2d

I'm the back-of-the-house tutor in the prison’s food technology and hospitality vocational class. Here's why it's the most coveted job in the Michigan prison system.

The Most Coveted Job in the Michigan Prison System

As a chef tutor in prison, I teach people how to handle food safely, and how to cook and bake. It has lots of perks, but the pay is still abysmal.

prisonjournalismproject.org

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Truthout @truthout.org · 10d

Prison is more than a desolate place; it’s a sentence passed down through generations, a curse disguised as justice. My mother’s story was the prologue to my own, and I saw her reflection in every woman I met behind bars.

Mama, They Got Me Too: My Family Has Survived Incarceration Over Generations

The system has a way of reaching through generations, branding us as criminals when all we’re trying to do is survive.