Information about the prison system is limited, and policy makers and voters are shaping the lives of incarcerated people without their input. We’re bringing transparency to the world of mass ...

This story is a Kite, a special category dedicated to first-person reports that rely heavily on a writer’s first-hand observations and experiences. Read more about why PJP uses this category here.

Writers and artists interested in doing journalism, who are incarcerated or formerly incarcerated. We also welcome submissions by family members and others affected by the criminal legal system. First ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. It is difficult to describe the overwhelming excitement of getting mail while incarcerated. When I started this ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. From the moment I walked into the classroom, there was a buzz of conversation and energy. Although I enjoy all of ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. When I entered the Sacramento County Main Jail on Dec. 9, 2009, I marveled at the magnitude of the building and ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. Inside the weight shack, surrounded by workout equipment strewn about, guys often recount stories from their ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. In March, I was soaking up the sun in my California prison’s recreation yard, when I observed a startled flock of ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. My love affair with peanut butter dates back to junior high and a summer spent in El Salvador as the goalkeeper ...

A man walked slowly toward the group of guards outside the dorm building. He was wearing a red paper jumpsuit, the standard uniform for transfers. Inside the dorm, a bunch of us were gathered on our ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. 6:15 a.m.: I wake up to the shrill sound of the count bell. Crawling out of bed, the first thing I do is feed ...

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. For prisoners with an entrepreneurial spirit, one of the most basic hustles in prison is running a store. A ...