FEBRUARY 11, 2026 – Prison Journalism Project (PJP), a national initiative that trains incarcerated writers to be journalists and publishes their stories, today launched “Cancer in Confinement,” a landmark series exploring why cancer outcomes are worse inside U.S. prisons than in the free world. Informed by more than 50 firsthand accounts from incarcerated writers across the country, the series shines a light on a public health crisis fueled by systemic neglect and barriers to care.
Cancer is now the leading cause of death in U.S. prisons, with incarcerated patients experiencing higher mortality rates than the general population, as noted in an October 2025 investigation by JAMA Network. Firsthand accounts in PJP’s “Cancer in Confinement” series highlight how this disparity is often driven by delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, inconsistent or inadequate treatment and a lack of coordination between prison medical staff and outside healthcare providers. With deeply personal stories, the series reveals the hidden suffering and bureaucratic obstacles faced by people living with cancer behind bars.
“Through firsthand reporting, PJP’s incarcerated writers offer an unfiltered diagnosis of the cancer crisis unfolding in American prisons,” said PJP’s editorial director Mason Bryan. “Sickness in prison is not just a medical issue; it’s a test of our justice system’s humanity. Our writers’ stories highlight urgent gaps in care and underscore the need for systemic reform.”
The “Cancer in Confinement” series documents harrowing experiences that illustrate how inaccessible, fragmented healthcare systems cause suffering among incarcerated patients. These stories relay a range of distressing issues, including breast cancer pain dismissed by prison medical staff as non-urgent; an aggressive skin cancer misdiagnosed for years; a diagnosis delivered two years late due to a records error; and a death following the denial of follow-up surgery recommended by outside doctors.
In addition to written reporting, the new series features a photo essay by photographer Eddie Herena and PJP Associate Editor Carla Canning from inside California’s only hospice prison programs; intimate illustrations by award-winning artist Kristen Radke; and a practical resource guide, offering advice to patients in an incarcerated context and expert insights from oncologist Dr. Christopher Manz, assistant professor in medical oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School.
“Patients with cancer in prison face unique and often overwhelming barriers to getting the lifesaving care they need,” said Manz. “By amplifying the voices of those who have experienced or witnessed cancer care behind bars, PJP is helping spark dialogue and drive change so that no one is denied lifesaving care. Addressing these challenges requires not just medical intervention, but a commitment to dignity, coordination and compassion throughout the justice and healthcare systems.”
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Prison Journalism Project is a national, nonprofit journalism organization that trains and publishes incarcerated writers so they can shift the narrative on mass incarceration through journalism while building literacy, professional skills, and confidence for life after prison. Sign up for PJP’s newsletter, The Inside Story, at: prisonjournalismproject.org/newsletter/.