Prison Journalism Project publishes stories that help readers understand what life is like inside the prison system and provide perspectives on ways the system can be improved. We also like to publish inside takes on what is happening in the outside world, including politics, culture, sports, natural disasters and other current events.

We provide new prompts in our PJP Inside magazine, which is available to people in prison on Edovo or in your prison library. If your library doesn’t have it, they can request copies by reaching out to us. 

You can also get started by choosing one of the following prompts: 

  • What is a day like in your prison? Write a story describing your typical routine, from morning to night. Imagine you had a video camera. Take the reader through your day: What would they see, hear, smell and feel? Be as detailed and precise as possible. Don’t worry about being boring! If you go to work, walk us through your job. If you spend time with friends, describe what you all do together. Organize your story by time of day. For example: “6 a.m.: My alarm goes off, and I wake up. The first thing I do is ____.” Then continue like this until you’re back in bed for the evening. 
  • Write a story about a more specific first, such as the first time you got sick, the first meal you ate, the first friend you made, etc.
  • Natural disasters — hurricanes, blizzards, wildfires, earthquakes, heat waves — are particularly intense experiences in prison. Write about a recent extreme weather event you have experienced inside prison and what it was like. Use your senses. What did you see, hear, smell?
  • How do you try to stay healthy in prison? This can be about food choices (nutritional health); a workout or sport that you practice (physical health); or a spiritual practice such as meditation (emotional health). 
  • Prison Photo Project

    This is a new project and the goal is to collect a compilation of portraits — taken inside or outside of prison — that highlights the personalities and humanity of people inside. Too often, mug shots are the only glimpse the outside gets of people in prison. We want to show a different face by publishing photographs taken more on your terms.

    If you are interested in this project, please:
    • Send an original picture, or a copy of an original picture, that includes you to this address: 

      Prison Journalism Project
      Attn: Photo Project
      1449 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 13306
      Chicago, IL 60605

      Please do not send a photo if you need it back. Unfortunately, we are not able to return it to you, but we may be able to send it to a loved one outside (see below). Please do not send other stories to this address or they will get lost. 
    • With the picture or copy of the picture, write a short caption. Captions will be edited for length and clarity. In your caption, answer these questions:
      • Who is in the photo? Please write your preferred name and those of any loved ones; they do not have to be legal names. Indicate who is who, such as by placement in the photo (left, right) or clothing (red shirt, black hat).
      • When and where was the photo taken? 
    • Do you remember anything from the moment the photo was taken? Did you send it to someone special? Or did someone special send it to you? 
      • Share some brief thoughts about why this photo is important to you. What do you want people to see in this photo? 
      • If you would like us to send your photo and caption to a loved one outside, please provide the name of the person, your relationship, and their email or phone number. We can’t make any promises, but we will try our best to make sure they get it.

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