PUBLICATIONS
Current and former prisoners have shared with us the free and paid newsletters and publications that they receive while incarcerated. Download and share this list with those who are currently in prison. Also, if some one knows of additional subscriptions to add to this list, let us know by clicking here.
GENERAL
"This interactive magazine designed for people in prison features contributions from the
incarcerated readers themselves, supported by alumni who’ve successfully returned to
their communities, and SL staff. Each issue explores a character strength from the field of
positive psychology, paralleling the research-informed perspectives, tools, and skills
developed through our programs. Subscribing is free and offers individuals in prison a
critical sense of belonging to a prosocial community and an opportunity to practice
constructive citizenship throughout their incarceration."
"A publication developed for and operated by incarcerated people which seeks to empower incarcerated
individuals. Their mission is to serve incarcerated people by amplifying their voices and sharing their
experiences to combat feelings of isolation inside correctional facilities."
"The San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper was founded in 1976 to serve thought-provoking
stories and commentary on the full range of Black trials and triumphs."
"Freebird Publishers is based in Massachusetts (MA) and services the entire United States. We provide inmate
services, prisoner publications, education for inmates, prisoner services, and other products for the
incarcerated. We also offer self-publishing services to inmates and their loved ones."
"Prisoner Express creates an opportunity for incarcerated men and women to get information, education and
a public forum for creative self-expression. Through our newsletters and programs we step through the
isolation and alienation of prison life – our goal is to bring hope and foster a sense of community among the
prisoners who participate."
"Helping prisoners on death row live connected and fruitful lives. The bimonthly Compassion newsletter is
written by death row prisoners in the United States. It is distributed without charge to all 2,500 serving under
a sentence of death and to 1,000-2,000 serving life without parole."
FAITH BASED
"Loaves & Fishes magazine offers encouragement and teaching for men and women who are
serious about following Jesus in prison. The magazine contains a variety of materials,
including short teaching articles, Bible study helps, interesting stories, poems, testimonies,
and puzzles. We address topics such as true discipleship, having a Godly home, overcoming
anger and bitterness, and science in Creation. "Free on the Inside" is a popular column,
which features poems and testimonies written by prisoners."
LEGAL
"A Project of the Human Rights Defense Center
Dedicated to Protecting Human Rights"
"At The Igwe Firm, we are committed to providing the very best legal representation available. We care about
our clients. We have high ethical standards and a commitment to excellence. As a client of our law firm, you
can be confident that our attorneys at law will represent you in a professional manner and that your claim
will be handled as expeditiously as possible. Fighting for truth, justice and the rights of the people!"
"Fast, efficient, and honest, Legal-Eagles has become a reputable and well-known legal service provider. Our
team of attorneys, paralegals, investigators, free-lancers, and criminal justice reform advocates are
passionate legal problem solvers. Together they manage projects with the skill and experience our clients
have come to expect. We want our customers to be satisfied with our work, which is why we provide open
communication channels throughout the duration of each project. The mission of Legal-Eagles founder David
G. Lusick, is to bridge the gap between low-income citizens and justice involved individuals who do not
qualify for free legal services, yet cannot afford the high cost price gouging of attorneys."
"Criminal Legal News, a project of the Human Rights Defense Center (“HRDC”), is an independent 56-page
monthly magazine that provides cutting edge review and analysis of individual rights, court rulings, and news
concerning criminal justice-related issues. CLN has a national (U.S.) focus on both state and federal criminal
justice issues."
"The goal of Wronglyconvicted.org, a project of the Human Rights Defense Center, is to shed light on the issue
of wrongful convictions and assist exonerated prisoners in their struggle to hold law enforcement
accountable."
ADVOCACY
"The non-profit, non-partisan Prison Policy Initiative produces cutting edge research to expose the broader
harm of mass criminalization, and then sparks advocacy campaigns to create a more just society."
"Decarcerate PA is a grassroots campaign working to end mass incarceration in Pennsylvania. We demand
that PA stop building prisons, reduce the prison population, and reinvest money in our communities."
"The Human Rights Defense Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of the
human rights of people held in U.S. detention facilities. This includes people in state and federal prisons, local
jails, immigration detention centers, civil commitment facilities, Bureau of Indian Affairs jails, juvenile
facilities and military prisons. HRDC is one of the few national opponents to the private prison industry and is
the foremost advocate on behalf of the free speech rights of publishers to communicate with prisoners and
the right of prisoners to receive publications and communications from outside sources. HRDC also does
significant work around government transparency and accountability issues by filing and litigating public
records and Freedom of Information Act requests at the state and federal levels."
"The national Campaign for Prison Phone Justice, led by HRDC, aims to provide current information on the
high costs of phone calls from state prisons and county jails. HRDC advocates for state-level reforms as well
as federal reforms to reduce the costs of phone calls and associated fees."
"The mission of the Prison Ecology Project is to map the intersections of mass incarceration and
environmental degradation, and create action plans to address the multitude of problems found there."
"Private Prison News is a project of the Human Rights Defense Center (HRDC), a non-profit organization
dedicated to protecting the rights of people held in U.S. detention facilities, both public and private. HRDC
believes that it is morally and ethically unacceptable to incarcerate people for the purpose of generating
corporate profit, and seeks the abolition of the private prison industry. We do not believe the industry can be
"improved" or "fixed," as its failings and deficiencies are directly linked to its inherent need to generate
profit."
LIBERAL ARTS
"The Prisoners Literature Project is an inclusive, all-volunteer, grassroots nonprofit whose purpose is to
encourage reading, the pursuit of knowledge, and self-determination among incarcerated people. By sending
free reading materials to those behind bars, PLP aims to foster learning and critical thinking and help prepare
people to lead successful lives after incarceration. We believe that all people have a right to read."
"What happens in prison has always stayed in prison. Prison Writers is working to change that.
We believe a crucial voice is missing in the ongoing debate about how to fix our broken prison system: the
voice of the people who live there.
We offer uncensored, personal stories and thoughtful essays from incarcerated citizens across the country
about what really goes on inside the secretive world of prison corrections."
“To give a voice to those silenced through incarceration” To achieve this, we facilitate a publicly-accessible,
online platform that displays the contributions of many talented inmates. We provide incarcerated individuals
with the opportunity to creatively express themselves and allow them the chance to feel connected to the free
world by knowing their works are shared with the public. By carrying out our work, our organization offers
prisoners a way to maintain a relationship with the outside world; an important lifeline many do not
otherwise have available to them."
"PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the
United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to
transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and
defend the liberties that make it possible."
