Why a Cellmate is Not like a Roommate
“The prison is like an isolated town with nowhere to go. And the cell is our whole house,” Biktor B. writes, adding that this “house” is shared by complete and often incompatible strangers, who have next to nothing in common.
What Is it Like to Live in a Halfway House?
Kashawn Taylor writes about the expectations and realities of living in a halfway house after leaving prison, noting “it feels like freedom, with an asterisk.”
The Joy of Cooking in Prison
Rodney Burger’s hobby is preparing fine meals for people to enjoy, and this is something he still does while on the Inside.
Life Inside, Remixed: An Incarcerated Artist Learns to Paint through the Chaos of Prison
“Painting requires a clear mind,” explained Memo, Rafael Rodriguez’s cellmate. In this animated essay, Rodriguez talks about how oil painting helped him realize that art mimics life, and so he poured his emotions into art.
When Kittens Came to My Prison, I Had Not Petted One in 15 Years
Cameron Terhune writes about how a litter of kittens changed his experience at a California prison.
The Softball Diamond Is My Favorite Place in Prison
“Softball is not the answer to all of life’s problems, but it has helped me solve a few,” writes Lexie Handlang on the opportunity to play the sport in prison.
Life Inside, Remixed: The Emotional Toll of Visiting a Son in Jail
In this animated story, Ymilul Bates visits her teenage son for the first time since he’s been incarcerated.
Listen: A College Bridge Program for Incarcerated Students
The Petey Green Program's College Bridge program is designed to foster college level writing, reading, and math skills for incarcerated individuals.
What People Want to Eat for Their First Meal After Prison
The first meal after prison is “sacred,” as Justin Slavinksi emphasizes. He himself looks forward to his mom’s meatloaf, while other incarcerated people he interviews look forward to their own unique takes–and it’s not about the food, it’s about the ability to choose.
Life Inside, Remixed: How I Found Peace in the Prison Garden
Reminiscing about his mother’s garden when growing up–the only patch of beauty in his neighborhood– Bobby Bostic talks about the way his decision to garden in prison changed his life.
San Quentin Set to Host First-Ever Prison Film Festival
The film festival showcased films created by formerly and currently incarcerated people as well as filmmakers who have never been to prison.
UMD Researcher Writes a New Chapter for Prison Libraries
A University of Maryland researcher contributed to the recently updated American Library Association Standards for library services for incarcerated or detained individuals.