Prison Journalism Project’s prison newspaper directory is an active list of currently operational prison publications.
In order to be included, a publication must be prisoner-produced (even if it is with the corrections department’s supervision) and offer information in a way that is thoughtful, useful and obtained from reliable sources.
Entries are organized by state and then alphabetically. Whenever possible, we’ve provided contact information and links to online issues or digital archives.
We’ll be regularly updating this section. If you have information about other newspapers or magazines that belong on this list, please reach out to us at pjp@prisonjournalismproject.org.
With special thanks to Kevin Sawyer, a journalist, PJP contributing editor and former associate editor of San Quentin News, who contributed his own research to this list, and PJP’s editorial intern Max Grinstein.
Alaska
Publication: The Chronicle
Publisher: Lemon Creek Correctional Center
Publication: Free Indeed
Publisher: Hiland Mountain Correctional Center
Publication: Spring Creek Now
Publisher: Spring Creek Correctional Center
Year started: 2022
Arizona
Publication: The Challenger
Publisher: USP Tucson
California
Publication: Destinations
Publisher: Salinas Valley State Prison Facility D
Publication: Here & Now
Publisher: Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
Publication: Mule Creek Post
Publisher: Mule Creek State Prison
Year started: 2018
More information: Online publication
Publication: San Quentin News (and “Wall City” Magazine)
Publisher: San Quentin State Prison
Year started: 1940 (current publication began in 2008)
More information: Online publication. Subscribe by donating online or sending $40 check to “Social Good Fund” with memo “Friends of San Quentin News” to:
Friends of San Quentin News
Social Good Fund
PO Box 494
San Quentin, CA 94964
Publication: Solano Chronicle
Publisher: California State Prison Solano
Year started: 2021
More information: Online issue
Colorado
Publication: The Inside Report
Publisher: Colorado Department of Corrections (statewide in partnership with Denver University Prison Arts Initiative)
Year started: 2020
Florida
Publication: The Endeavor
Publisher: Everglades Correctional Institution
Year started: 2014
Illinois
Publication: Dixon Digest
Publisher: Dixon Correctional Center
Publication: Stateville Speaks
Publisher: Northeastern Illinois University Justice Studies
Year started: 2004
More information: Online publication
Publication: Two Roads E-Zine
Publisher: Kewanee Life Skills Re-Entry Center
Year started: 2018
More information: Online publication
Louisiana
Publication: The Angolite
Publisher: Louisiana State Penitentiary
Year started: 1952
More information: Digital archive. Subscribe by sending $30 check or money order to:
The Angolite
c/o Cashier’s Office
Louisiana State Penitentiary
Angola, LA 70712
Publication: Straight Low
Publisher: Dixon Correctional Institute
Year started: 1978
More information: Online issue
Publication: Walk Talk
Publisher: Elaine Hunt Correctional Center
Minnesota
Publication: Gold Rush Chronicle
Prison: MCF-Rush City
Publication: New Perspective
Publisher: MCF-Oak Park Heights (in partnership with Minnesota Prison Writer’s Workshop)
Year started: Late 1980s
Publication: The Prison Mirror
Publisher: MCF-Stillwater
Year started: 1887
More information: Digital archive. Subscribe by sending $25 check made out to “Prison Mirror” to:
The Prison Mirror
MCF-Stillwater
970 Pickett Street North
Bayport, MN 55003
Attn: Finance
Publication: The Reflector
Publisher: MCF-Shakopee
Year started: 1935
North Carolina
Publication: The Nash News
Publisher: Nash Correctional Institution
Year started: 2005
Oklahoma
Publication: Mabel Gazette H.E.R.O.
Publisher: Mabel Bassett Correctional Center
Year started: 2022
South Carolina
Publication: The MAC Newsletter
Publisher: MacDougall Correctional Institution
Year started: 2022
Texas
Publication: The Echo
Publisher: Texas Department of Criminal Justice (statewide)
Year started: 1928
More information: Digital archive
Washington
Publication: The Elephant in the Room
Publisher: Monroe Correctional Complex
Year started: 2022