Derek Jason LeCompte, Author at Prison Journalism Project

A photo shows a neon sign outside a pawn shop with bars in front of the facade.

Prison Is Like a Pawn Shop

by Derek Jason LeCompte November 13, 2025

A photo illustration shows a diploma attached to a ball and chain.

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

by Derek Jason LeCompte October 2, 2025October 2, 2025

A groundhog is seen peering over a rock, with his hand raised as if he's waving.

Caring for Wildlife in Prison Makes Us Feel More Human

by Derek Jason LeCompte September 2, 2025September 2, 2025

A photo illustration shows praying hands, drumsticks, and chess pieces.

In Prison, Where Can You Find Pockets of Peace?

by Derek Jason LeCompte August 7, 2025

A photo illustration shows various handout family photos layered, similar to a scrapbook.

Essays & Memoirs

Why Photographs Mean So Much to People in Prison

by Derek Jason LeCompte June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

In this photo provided by El Salvador's presidential press office, prison guards transfer deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, Sunday, March 16, 2025

What We Saw in Those Images From the El Salvador Mega Prison

by Daniel X. Cohen, Troy Chapman, Jeffery Shockley, Patrick Irving, Cesar Hernandez, Angelo Sedillo, Jamie Silvonek, Derek Jason LeCompte and Justin Slavinski May 15, 2025May 29, 2025

I Went to Prison and Learned to Love

by Derek Jason LeCompte February 13, 2025April 22, 2025

Street view of South Woods State Prison, New Jersey

I Gave Up One of the Best Jobs in My New Jersey Prison

by Derek Jason LeCompte March 14, 2024April 22, 2025