Works of Justice
Works of Justice is a monthly newsletter from PEN America’s Prison and Justice Writing that spotlights key figures, writers, and artists who are critically reshaping the conversation on mass incarceration, advocacy, and justice in the United States.
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Inquiries may be sent to Malcolm Tariq ([email protected]), senior manager of editorial projects for Prison and Justice Writing.
Works of Justice Blog Posts
Works of Justice Podcast: Maurice Chammah
Prison and Justice Writing Gap-Year Fellow Frances Keohane speaks with journalist Maurice Chammah about the death penalty and his new book, Let the Lord Sort Them. More
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
Temperature Check, Vol. 10: Family Through The Walls
Explore the issue of carceral family separation through an award-winning piece of fiction by incarcerated writer Amy Bishop Anderson and Works of Justice Podcast episodes with Ebony Underwood 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
Temperature Check, Vol. Nine: The Election Issue
Manhattan DA Candidate Lucy Lang explores a district attorney’s role during COVID-19, and writer/activist Corey “Al-Ameen” Patterson details the importance of voting behind bars. More
Temperature Check, Vol. Eight: The Reentry Issue
Alejo Rodriguez of Exodus Transitional Community and award winner Saint James Harris Wood talk about reentry from prison during a pandemic, plus updates and links to advocacy efforts and… More
Temperature Check, Vol. Seven: The Literary Issue feat. Dr. Nicole Fleetwood, George Wilkerson, & More
This special literary issue supports writers with recent releases that contribute to critical public dialogue about mass incarceration. More
Temperature Check, Vol. Six: Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, Spoon Jackson, Lacino Hamilton, and Santonio Murff
Three incarcerated writers speak on racial injustice in the system and a powerful podcast with civil rights attorney, author and professor Gloria J. Browne-Marshall More