NCJ Number
81161
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1982) Pages: 43-50
Date Published
1982
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This discussion of prison writing workshops covers their origins, problems, and benefits for inmates as well as addressing the general topic of prison literature.
Abstract
Participants in inmate writing programs are usually introduced to the world of language and literature by a volunteer prison teacher, but do something else when they are released. Most famous inmate writers, however, have been steeped in controversy, such as John Brown, Eldridge Cleaver, and George Jackson. In recent times, literary figures helped the promising writer Jack Henry Abbott gain parole and then were severely criticized when Abbott was charged with murder. Although he was not a product of a writing workshop, other inmate writers fear that the Abbott case will harm existing writing programs. Other professional writers and teachers have become involved with prison projects. Joe and Carol Bruchac founded a Prison Project Newsletter in 1976, and the American PEN Center sponsors writing contests and publishes a bulletin with suggestions on submitting manuscripts. Professionals agree that inmate fiction is the most interesting, while poetry tends to be vague and chaotic and nonfiction works are often gripe essays. Most prisoners write to escape from the reality of prison life and experience some freedom. Workshop leaders tell their students that it will be almost impossible for even the most talented to make a living as a writer upon release. In the late 1960's and early 1970's, writing workshops were viewed suspiciously by prison officials, but many now realize that they provide a nonviolent channel for prisoners' energies and attract favorable publicity. These programs still depend on grants and volunteer teachers and are not likely to get financial support from corrections officials. The article contains several examples of prison writing programs and photographs.