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Prison Journalism Project

Prison Journalism Project

Independent Journalism by the Incarcerated

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JoyBelle Phelan

JoyBelle Phelan is a writer and also serves as writer relations associate at Prison Journalism Project.

She was incarcerated twice for a total of seven years and has also been in community corrections. She passionately believes that no one should be remembered for the worst decision they have ever made. She is using her lived experience to challenge the perceptions of what prison is like for women and what re-entry can look like. While inside, she was in various leadership and peer mentor positions, worked as the pre-release clerk and helped to develop and implement the re-entry unit program.

She was the first woman at La Vista Correctional Facility to be published in Colorado’s The Inside Report prison newspaper. She also has an essay published in the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition’s Go Guide about being successful on parole.

Health problems linger for JoyBelle Phelan, long after leaving prison
Posted inPerspective

When I Left the Women’s Prison, Health Issues Followed Me

by JoyBelle Phelan February 23, 2023May 23, 2023
Posted inFeature, News

Entrepreneur Training Program Provides Opportunities to Create New Businesses

by JoyBelle Phelan September 6, 2021February 20, 2022
Posted inPerspective

How I Got in Trouble for Writing a Letter in Prison

by JoyBelle Phelan March 29, 2021February 20, 2022
Posted inOpinion

We Need More Re-Entry Support

by JoyBelle Phelan February 23, 2021April 29, 2022
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