Blog
Filter By:
Advocacy • Analysis • Blog • Commentary • Drama • Essay • Event • Feature • Fiction • Graphic Narrative • Interview • Memoir • News • Obituary • Open Letter • Poetry • Press Release • Profile
Browse By Series:
PEN Poetry Series • Prison Writing • The PEN Ten Interviews • Illustrated PEN • Pen Pals • The PEN World
Browse By Email Subscription:
PEN America News • Educational Censorship News • Works of Justice
Tommy Trantino on Perseverance and Protest
Jess Abolafia introduces Tommy Trantino, author of "Lock the Lock" (1974), who speaks with the Works of Justice podcast about his experience writing and making art on death row. More
As Twitter Dismantles Safeguards, Onus Shifts to Users to Prevent the Spread of Disinformation
"With Twitter having dismantled safeguards against the spread of disinformation and impersonation, a heavy onus now shifts to users to bring a discerning eye to the platform, taking everything… More
PEN America Demands the Immediate Release of Kurdish Rapper Saman Yasin After Request for Amnesty Was Denied
"Our hearts go out to Yasin and his family and friends, and we urge the Iranian authorities to grant him amnesty and release him from prison at once,” said… More
Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools
PEN America recorded more book bans during the fall 2022 semester than in each of the prior two semesters. More
The 11 Most Banned Books of the Start of the 2022-2023 School Year
These were the 11 most banned books at the start of the 2022-2023 school year, according to PEN America's Index of Banned Books. More
New Report: 28% Rise in School Book Bans Over First Half of 2022-23 School Year
“The heavy-handed tactics of state legislators are mandating book bans, plain and simple,” said Suzanne Nossel, Chief Executive Officer of PEN America. “Some politicians like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis… More
Banned in the USA: State Laws Supercharge Book Suppression in Schools
PEN America recorded more book bans during the fall 2022 semester than in each of the prior two semesters. More
Unsealed: Lost Lifelines, and the Harmful Effects of Prison Mail Scanning
Jess Abolafia discusses the challenges of digitizing mail to and from prison, and why it does more harm than good. More
The Legacy of Martin Sostre (1923-2015)
Moira Marquis pays homage to Martin Sostre, a self-taught jailhouse lawyer who won several lawsuits against censorship to secure the rights of incarcerated people. More
An Interview with Chicago Books to Women in Prison
PEN America’s Moira Marquis interviews Chicago Books to Women in Prison to learn more about why they choose to work exclusively with women’s prisons. More