Life Examined
What prison writing teaches us about US justice system and each other
Repentance and reflection was once the utopian ideal of the penitentiary system. Back then, the ideal was not to punish but to provide a solitary space or sanctuary from the evils of the outside world in which to repent.
By Jonathan Bastian • • 51m ListenRepentance and reflection was once the utopian ideal of the penitentiary system. This includes solitary confinement, which was first introduced in the U.S. in the 18th century. Back then, the ideal was not to punish but to provide a solitary space or sanctuary from the evils of the outside world in which to repent.
Today, that ideal has been swallowed by a massive prison industrial complex, but despite being overcrowded and underfunded, some prisons do offer educational programs like writing classes. For those who are incarcerated, putting words on a page, sharing their experiences, and discovering new identities can be transformative.
In this episode
2 storiesHow poetry helped a prisoner survive 18 years in solitary confinement: ‘I've been through enough pain to make a sane man just scream’
Ian Manuel spent 18 years in solitary confinement in a Florida jail, starting from the age of 15.
Read the story21 minHow prison writing programs transform inmates and provide vital accounts of life inside
For prisoners who have access to writing programs, putting words on a page offers a way to share experience, fear, and pain.
Read the story31 min
