Inquiry

Fernando Rivas was awarded 3rd Place in Poetry in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and dramatic… More

The Reinvention of Lenny Primo

Ryan M. Moser was awarded 3rd Place in Fiction in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and… More

Silent Treatment

Rahsaan "New York" Thomas was awarded 2nd Place in Fiction in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction,… More

Life. In Pieces

Frank Kensaku Saragosa was awarded 1st Place in Fiction in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and… More

A Homeless History Lesson

Gary Farlow was awarded an Honorable Mention in Drama in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and… More

Horrible Brothers

Walter Sam was awarded an Honorable Mention in Drama in the 2022 Prison Writing Contest. Every year, hundreds of imprisoned people from around the country submit poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and… More

PEN America Prison Writing Award Winners: 2021

Perhaps now, more than ever, the work of this contest is needed: to help melt calcified perceptions of who is incarcerated, to uplift the incredible literary voices stifled by… More

PEN America Prison Writing Award Winners: 2020

Perhaps now, more than ever, the work of this contest is needed: to help melt calcified perceptions of who is incarcerated, to uplift the incredible literary voices stifled by… More