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Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 12h

"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

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Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 23h

"In Idaho state prisons, a certain percentage of the cost of every commissary purchase and phone call goes into the inmate management fund," writes Dennis. "...These kinds of funds, common in prisons and jails across the country, are typically used to benefit the welfare of incarcerated people."

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

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

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

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

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

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Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 12h

"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

6 15

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 12h

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

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Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 16h

"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

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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

22 530 1.6K

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

"... 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."

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

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

1 9 24

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Truthout @truthout.org · 8d

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.

truthout.org

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Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 23h

"In Idaho state prisons, a certain percentage of the cost of every commissary purchase and phone call goes into the inmate management fund," writes Dennis. "...These kinds of funds, common in prisons and jails across the country, are typically used to benefit the welfare of incarcerated people."

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

4 14

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 14d

In a recent piece, Kelsey Dodson shares what it's like to menstruate in prison. One woman says she was forced to bleed through her underwear, her pants, and finally her white blanket during an hour-long count. This piece was co-published with @theguardian.com. Please give it a read.

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

4 100 170

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 13d

"When a child’s inward turmoil is expressed as distraction, disobedience or fighting with other students, many schools punish the behavior without ever exploring the root causes. There is too much discipline and very little empathy," writes Danny Munoz.

Kids With Trauma Need Support Sooner

Students who experience trauma need the support of adults who know what they’re going through.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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

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

Health Care Challenges in Oregon Prisons

Oregon Promises Better Prison Health Care. Here’s Why Some Are Skeptical.

The prison population in Idaho often has to rely on deficient and delayed medical care.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Prison Policy Initiative @prisonpolicy.org · 2d

Among the 35 jail births identified in the news over 10 years, jail staff ignored repeated cries for help or medical assistance in at least 24 cases.

The carceral system is no place for pregnant people.

www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2025/07...

Infographic showing the outcomes of 35 in-jail childbirths reported by media, 2013-2023

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

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

13 17

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Michael Chesnut @michaelchesnut.bsky.social · 17d

Good article about an important issue from an amazing project. Worth checking out more from this account.

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 17d

"Donald left our institution July 2, 2025. Prison adms summoned him over the speakers and put him on a bus to the Racine Correctional Institution, where he awaited would await transfer to ICE. The last time I spoke with him, he was still in custody and did not know when he would be deported."

Q&A: A Canadian Awaiting Deportation Reflects on Life, Loss and Starting Over

One Canadian in a Wisconsin prison faces his upcoming deportation after 25 years in the U.S. He’s worried about leaving family behind.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Punished Cat Guy, dba Joe Dirt Shrimp @majima.club · 16d

So many onions all at once holy shit

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

2 7 30

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Detective Bookworm @detectivebookworm.bsky.social · 13d

Oof. The unnecessary indignities these women endure is staggering. Hat tip to the women who shared the vulnerable details of their lives in this story. This is the kind of stuff nobody wants to talk about, but we need to talk about.

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 14d

In a recent piece, Kelsey Dodson shares what it's like to menstruate in prison. One woman says she was forced to bleed through her underwear, her pants, and finally her white blanket during an hour-long count. This piece was co-published with @theguardian.com. Please give it a read.

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

4 14

Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Maren @paarsec.com · 13d

Another incredible piece, this time written by Mithrellas Curtis prisonjournalismproject.org/author/mithrellas-curtis
and beatifully illustrated by Sarah Rogers

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 13d

"As I stood at the commode, I thought about all that I’d experienced in the last month: I had been terrified beyond expression, berated, belittled, poked, prodded, weighed, measured and interrogated for hours," writes Mithrellas.

The Unexpected Power of Shaving in Prison

After a month in a Virginia prison, an incarcerated woman shaves again and frees herself of more than just the thick, dark hair on her legs.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Anodyne @anodynesix.bsky.social · 3d

"[A]fter the Grist [(@grist.org)] article ... I realized [officers] were avoiding the water in here. The incarcerated women have started buying bottled water from the commissary now too, but we can't buy enough to avoid the water entirely. We still have to shower, cook and brush our teeth with it."

Prison Journalism Project @prisonjournalism.bsky.social · 8d

An incarcerated writer spent over a year in excruciating pain before medical professionals finally took her seriously. Then she was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer.

She Was in Constant Pain. They Told Her It Was Normal.

In prison, we have to fight for a diagnosis before we can fight the disease.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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

"We don’t receive the same college experience as outside students. And we don’t benefit from modern technology like outside students."

I Don't Pay Tuition in Prison, but My College Education is Not Free

You must still obtain funding and scholarships. And the college experience is much more limited in prison.

prisonjournalismproject.org

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Reposted by Prison Journalism Project

Anodyne @anodynesix.bsky.social · 2d

"Even with these challenging circumstances, professors have told us that we are among the best students they've taught. We are engaged and grateful for the opportunity ... And that's despite the fact that we can't even choose the majors we are most passionate about. Only two majors are offered."

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

"We don’t receive the same college experience as outside students. And we don’t benefit from modern technology like outside students."

I Don't Pay Tuition in Prison, but My College Education is Not Free

You must still obtain funding and scholarships. And the college experience is much more limited in prison.

prisonjournalismproject.org

1 9 15