Against Retribution: An Interview with Daniel Pirkel
In this interview, Daniel Pirkel speaks with PEN America's Prison and Justice Writing Program about unnecessary policies that censor the work of incarcerated writers, and advocates for restorative justice… More
Damascus James on Witnessing, Letter Writing, and Solitary Confinement
Damascus James, editor of "TEXAS LETTERS," speaks with PEN America's "Works of Justice" podcast about what he learned from people who are in solitary confinement in Texas prisons. More
Pride Month: A Banned Book Reading List
The last two years have seen unmitigated attacks on LGBTQ+ content in public school libraries, with 26% of banned books featuring LGBTQ+ characters and themes. For Pride month, PEN… More
PEN America’s Writers in the Schools Committee
Through PEN America's Writers in the Schools program, chaired by James Traub, about 20 writers volunteer to work in under-resourced schools in New York City. More
Unsealed: An Open Letter from No More Victims Road
In this open letter, Antwann Lamont Johnson, Sr. considers if the Department of Corrections actually contributes to harm reduction. More
Uprooting the Lie
In this personal essay, Dyego M. Foddrell reflects on how losing his mother while he was incarcerated inspired him to seek redemption for his past. More
More Than Meets the DEI
Bills that purport to ban DEI initiatives on college campuses are currently in vogue in state legislatures. Their proponents describe them as straightforward “DEI bans.” More
From Classroom Censorship to Curricular Control
Not only are these new bills equally censorious compared to the older model, they are more brazen and have the potential to be much more destructive to the basic… More
Introducing Catherine LaFleur, the 2023-2024 Luis Angel Hernandez Poet Laureate with Exchange for Change and O, Miami
PEN America's Valentina Flores interviews Catherine LaFleur, the 2023-2024 Luiz Angel Hernandez Poet Laureate with Exchange for Change and O, Miami. More
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