Prison Journalism Project

@prisonjournalism.bsky.social

28789 Followers 408 Following

An independent national nonprofit initiative that trains incarcerated writers in the tools of journalism and publishes their stories. Support our work: https://bit.ly/4rioDIW

Read background and white font. The announcement: Prison Journalism Project is on a planned break until Monday, July 6.
A flyer for the zoom event, Reimagining Justice Through Lived Experience, on June 15, 2026. Hosted by Prison Journalism Project as a part of Justice & Next 250 Panelists: Jason Gorham, Joe Garcia, Geneva Phillips Special remarks: Jamie Silvonek, Kwaneta Harris Panel Discussion Moderator: Yukari Kane
Best News First: Aaron Edward Olson (Wash.) for “How Washington State Discriminates Against Incarcerated Immigrants,” published by The Nation Second: Steve Brooks (Calif.) for “As California aims to modernize San Quentin, many of its residents may be forced to leave,” published by Local News Matters Third: Michael Callahan (Calif.) for “Faulty drug tests impact thousands of residents,” published by San Quentin News
Best Illustration First Place: Jason Gorham Second Place: Chandler Kardaras Third Place: Kelsey Dodson and Geneva Phillips
An flyer for the Stillwater Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 28 at 8 p.m. Easter. Join us to celebrate the voices and stories of incarcerated journalists.
A portion of the cover photo of PJP's ‘Verses Beyond Bars.’ The design features a collage of vertical strips of handwritten notes, printed text, and illustrations, partially obscured by a reaching hand at the top. The PJP logo appears above the title, set against a textured beige background.
Image with a black background with the word "subscribe."
A cactus flower blooming in the hospice garden, surrounded by other succulents and plants. Patient Ralph Marcus said he hadn’t seen a plant up close since before his incarceration.
When I write for Prison Journalism Project, I feel liberated. My voice travels beyond these concreate walls and barbed fences. Being a voice for a marginalized community gives meaning and purpose to my life. --Shakeil Price, writing from New Jersey #5YearsofPJP
Blue background. The image os a Christmas tree. It reads: The best thing I ever saw in prison was a holiday party two Christian bunkies threw for the whole cellblock — a hundred men. They spent over $1,000 of their own money and prepared months in advance. Everyone, regardless of religion, was invited. It was beautiful.” — Chris Dankovich, of Michigan
A red background and these words from a PJP donor: Everyone deserves to have the tools to tell their own stories on their own terms. Five Years of PJP.
A gif that types out these words: Imagine your writing touching just one person, just one. Can you imagine it? Thanks to PJP, I can, too. --L. Cardez
Blue background. Image of a telephone. This quote: “Some dudes go around asking if guys need phone calls to their family. [As a result] dudes who have no money on their accounts get to call their kids. Dudes step up even though they don't have to. It’s a real human component that comes together during Christmas.” — Justin, of New Mexico, as told to Angelo Sedillo
A banner showing that PJP is 46% of the way there. The words: Help us reach our goal of $50,000. Your gift is matched x3.
A meter showing that Prison Journalism Project is 46% of the way to its end of year fundraising goal. The words: Help us reach our goal of $50,000.
An image of how your gift has 3x the impact. A $25 gift (because $75 impact) can send 15 copies of PJP Inside to prison libraries across the U.S. (Instead of 5 copies.) A $75 gift (becomes $225 impact) can pay up to 3 writers for their stories (instead of 1). A $500 gift (becomes $1500 impact) can enroll 3 incarcerated writers in PJP's journalism and certification course, helping them publish with impact while gaining professional skills that can connect them to new opportunities (instead of 1 writer). A call to action to donate because your gift will have 3 times the impact.
Showing how your gift has 3x the impact. How your donation makes a difference. 25 gift > $75 impact, $75 gift > $225 impact, $500 gift > $500 Impact. A donate button. Five years of PJP.
Holiday image. The words: [The holidays present] a full spectrum of feelings. Not all are positive or negative. Some are happy because it's their last holiday here but others are depressed because they are still here. Everyone is trying to navigate through all these feelings.” — Stephanie H., of Florida, as told to Brittany Miles
A meter showing PJP is 38% of the way to their goal of $50K. It states: Help Us Reach our goal of $50,000. Your gift is matched x3. #5YearsofPJP
End of year campaign with typewriter and "5 years of PJP" logo. The words "Your gift is matched x3" on a green banner.
Cockapoo in a winter vest
A graphic image of Prison Journalism Project co-publishing headlines including The Guardian, PublicSource, MindSite News, Source New Mexico, Washington City Paper.
Words on Black Screen: Voices From the Inside A Celebration of PJP Writers and Five Years of Impact starts in less than 2 hours.
Red background and the words, "Everyone deserves to have the tools to tell their own stories on their own terms. --PJP Donor". A quote card for 5 Years of Prison Journalism Project.
An image created by an incarcerated writer and artist. This is the building where I stay, and these are some of my neighbors. Some days there are 89 of us, some days there are 94. It’s hard for me to make friends because the prison moves everyone here so frequently, usually to other buildings but also to other prisons.
A message from Prison Journalism Project thanking Lyneka for making a donation. Thank you so much for your gift to Prison Journalism Project's Five Years of Changing the Narrative campaign. The message says: "Your support means a lot — it helps us keep training and publishing incarcerated writers so they can share their own stories and change how people understand life behind bars"
An incarcerated writer writing on a notepad. Giving Tuesday logo displayed. A clear typewriter that is common in prison with a banner ribbon that says Your gift is matched x 3.
Grateful. Thank you for being an essential part of our community.
An invitation from Prison Journalism Project with a typewriter. The invite says: Join Prison Journalism Project for a special virtual gathering celebrating five years of powerful storytelling by incarcerated and formerly incarcerated writers. You’ll hear directly from PJP alumni about what it’s like to tell stories from inside, why their work matters, and how they’re changing the conversation about life behind bars. On Monday, Dec. 8, we’ll celebrate the impact of these important stories and recognize the community of writers, supporters and readers who make this work possible as we welcome the holiday season with gratitude and purpose. Event Details Who: PJP alumni, readers and supporters, PJP team (including the co-founders) What: A celebration of PJP writers, their stories and five years of impact When: 4-5 p.m. ET, Dec. 8, 2025 Where: Online via Zoom
Invitation from Prison Journalism Project for Celebrate PJP Writers and Five years of Impact. The image includes a typewriter and details for the event. Event Details Who: PJP alumni, readers and supporters, PJP team (including the co-founders) What: A celebration of PJP writers, their stories and five years of impact When: 4-5 p.m. ET, Dec. 8, 2025 Where: Online via Zoom
A timeline of PJP: Five Years of Changing the Narrative: 2020: Launched our first publication on Medium to keep incarcerated writers connected during the pandemic. 2021: Debuted PJP Inside — our award-winning educational newspaper — and the first nationwide correspondence journalism course. 2022: Incorporated as a nonprofit (our official birthday!) and published our 1,000th story. 2023: Introduced an advanced narrative nonfiction workshop led by Bill Keller, founding editor-in-chief of The Marshall Project. 2024: Released A Prison Writer’s Guide to Media Writing and launched a three-certificate training progression (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Reporter). 2025: Launched Learning+, a three-year training and publishing program providing deeper, sustained engagement with incarcerated writers. Today: 2,500+ stories by 800+ writers across 44 states.
And end of year banner featuring an image of typewriter commonly used at prisons. The banner donates that your donations will be matched. Also, a mention of Five Years of Prison Journalism Project.
Yukari Kane, Shaheen Pasha, Dr. Clare Hammoor, Mason Bryan, Lyneka Little in an image for Meeting the Moment hosted by Prison Journalism Project on Sept. 17 at 6pm ET.
Photo of incarcerated person standing up wrapped in a blanket. The text reads: For three days, the high was around 20 degrees. I could see my breath. I could hear the wind blowing through the broken windows. We were issued a second blanket. I knew we would still freeze since many window panes in the block were broken. I had three pairs of socks on.