Archive

Poet Matthew Feeney crafts language that cuts through the noise of modern life, offering distilled expressions of humanity shaped by incarceration, identity, and introspection. His evocative work—layered with metaphor, symbolism, and emotional precision—reminds us to write as if our lives depend on it​

In this reflection on education and transformation, Elizabeth Shatswell introduces two powerful Second Chance Month essays by incarcerated scholars Juan Portieles and Brian Newman. Their stories, shared through JSTOR Access in Prison, explore education as a path to optimism, purpose, and freedom—with lasting ripple effects across their communities.

In this JSTOR's Second Chance Month essay, Michael Munro draws powerful parallels between the structure of roguelike games and his journey through trauma, incarceration, and personal reinvention.

Through the transformative power of prison-based arts education, Wyatt Reed shares his journey of reclaiming a lost identity, confronting addiction, and rediscovering purpose through creative expression.

In this powerful Second Chance Month essay, Alexander Bolling reflects on his journey from silence to self-expression while incarcerated.

When Alazaron “Laz” Sargeant discovered the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish through a library brought into his prison unit, it sparked a deeper search for meaning—and a powerful wave of creative expression.

In this JSTOR’s Second Chance Month essay, Allen Ivanov reflects on the liberating and isolating power of education in prison, exploring how knowledge—through Shakespeare and critical inquiry—becomes both a burden and a path to self-reclamation.

In this JSTOR’s Second Chance Month essay, Shane Moffat reflects on early school experiences, the sensory memories of his bus rides, and his enduring love for education. Through vivid storytelling, he challenges readers to consider access, equity, and the power of memory—even behind prison walls.

Vy Thang’s reflection on education challenges idealized notions of utopia shaped by historical trauma and incarceration. His story illustrates how liberal arts learning becomes a powerful act of self-discovery, resistance, and community building.

This is JSTOR’s third year of publishing essays, poetry, and artwork from people impacted by incarceration. These stories are as diverse as America itself, yet the humanity explored by these writers remind us of the dreams, aspirations, and connectedness we all share.