Works of Justice: How to Write a Novel in a Month (During a Pandemic)
This year, the PEN America Prison Writing team had 10 incarcerated writers participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). More
Works of Justice Podcast: Actor, Mentor, and Mother Dunasha Payne on Parenting Through the Walls and the Power of Theater
Prison and Justice Writing Program Director Caits Meissner speaks with Dunasha Payne about mothering while incarcerated and the power of theater behind bars. More
Works of Justice Podcast: Writer, Advocate, and Actionist Ebony Underwood on Parental Incarceration
Prison and Justice Writing Program intern Nicolette Natale speaks with Ebony Underwood about her experience as the child of an incarcerated parent and her subsequent role as advocate and… More
Break Out: An Interview with Kaveh Akbar
A conversation with Kaveh Akbar, who will be performing Terry Hedin’s “El Reno” in our “Break Out” awards celebration, about the privilege and responsibility of performing another person’s work. More
Introducing the Inaugural PEN America/L’Engle-Rahman Prize for Mentorship
We are honored to launch the PEN America/L’Engle-Rahman Prize for Mentorship, which uplifts mentorships in our Prison Writing Program. More
Break Out: An Interview with TheaterLab’s Lanie Zipoy
A conversation with Lanie Zipoy about her curatorial process for our 2020 “Break Out” awards celebration, the challenges of organizing a digital literary event, and finding connection amidst isolation. More
Works of Justice Podcast: Manhattan DA Candidate Lucy Lang on the Importance of Local Elections
Prison and Justice Writing Program intern Nicolette Natale speaks with Lucy Lang about the role of a district attorney, particularly during the era of COVID-19. More
An Act to Increase Voter Registration and Participation
In his essay, Corey “Al-Ameen” Patterson writes about felony voter disenfranchisement laws and the importance of ensuring the right to vote behind bars. More
Freedom is Complicated
“Upon realizing that I alone will have to figure out how to survive, I throw myself onto the mercy of social security and state welfare.” More
Works of Justice Podcast: Alejo Rodriguez of Exodus Transitional Community
Prison and Justice Writing Program intern Nicolette Natale speaks with Alejo Rodriguez about reentry services during the pandemic. More
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PEN America On 
Beatings, arrests, court cases, internet blocks and revocation of press credentials—being an accredited journalist is no longer a guarantee of protection for independent media in Belarus. https://bit.ly/3a7pcyT
Is a reconciliation with the Trump era possible? Can we reckon with the past while moving forward? Register now to hear from @mashagessen @ayadakhtar Jill Lepore @CharlesMBlow @Peggynoonannyc and Omar G. Encarnación. Moderated by @SuzanneNossel. https://bit.ly/3p2S9C7
Today the Raoul Wallenberg Centre and PEN America filed a complaint before the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on behalf of detained Chinese couple Wang Zang and Wang Liqin. https://bit.ly/35WqT0H