# Resisting Repression: On Writing From Prison Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Gxy6WLbCA Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/c6Gxy6WLbCA --- ## Quick Overview Incarcerated writers like Chris Blackwell and Stevie Wilson face immense challenges, including severe communication restrictions, censorship, and direct retaliation from prison officials, yet they persist in writing to expose the realities of incarceration and ensure marginalized voices are heard, challenging the mainstream media's historical reliance on official narratives. **Key Points:** - Stevie Wilson began writing to ensure incarcerated voices, particularly marginalized ones, were included in conversations about prison, stating, "being top of the conversation... but not being a part of the conversation." - Chris Blackwell started writing after witnessing the abuse of a 19-year-old in solitary confinement, motivated to "expose what's happening to this gentleman because he's not the first one he's not the last." - The writing process is severely hampered by technology limitations; Chris describes retyping stories "completely textile" for multiple drafts, and costly email services. - Both writers face significant repression and retaliation, including censorship of mail and materials, denied public speaking opportunities, and false investigations by prison officials. - Stevie Wilson reported that officers destroyed his property, including "ten years of journals," and he is often unable to receive his own published work inside prison. - Emily Nanko emphasized that mainstream media's historical "cozy relationship" with correctional departments has allowed official narratives to dominate, which incarcerated writers directly challenge. - The panelists urged readers and publishers to support incarcerated writers by engaging on social media, supporting organizations like Empowerment Avenue, and building direct, collaborative relationships to amplify their voices. **Context:** The event, "Resisting Repression: On Writing From Prison," features incarcerated journalists Chris Blackwell and Stevie Wilson, alongside social justice reporter Emily Nanko, to discuss the challenges of writing from within the U.S. carceral system. With 1.9 million people currently incarcerated, the system disproportionately targets Black, Brown, and poor individuals, subjecting them to harsh conditions, including inadequate public health measures, inflated commissary expenses, censorship, and torturous punishments like solitary confinement. The Black Lives Matter movement has increased public awareness of these harms, prompting more outlets, including Jewish Currents, to publish incarcerated writers who offer direct insights into prison realities. ## Detailed Analysis The discussion, featuring incarcerated writers Chris Blackwell and Stevie Wilson, alongside reporter Emily Nanko, highlights the profound difficulties of writing from prison in the United States, where 1.9 million people are incarcerated. Stevie Wilson began writing because he was frustrated by being "top of the conversation... but not being a part of the conversation," emphasizing the need for incarcerated voices to be heard as they are closest to the problems and solutions. Chris Blackwell started writing after witnessing the abuse of a 19-year-old in solitary confinement, aiming to "expose what's happening." Emily Nanko, co-creator of Empowerment Avenue, stresses the importance of diversifying the media industry by centering incarcerated storytellers, as prison conditions exacerbate societal issues like pandemics and mental health crises, shielding them from public view. The writing process itself is arduous due to limited technology; Chris describes retyping drafts "completely textile" and costly email services, while Stevie notes he often cannot receive his own published work, and officers have destroyed his journals and written works. Both writers face severe repression and retaliation, including mail rejection, denied speaking opportunities, false investigations, and constant surveillance, with Chris stating they are "reporting from behind enemy lines." The panelists argue that mainstream media has historically maintained a "cozy relationship" with correctional departments, allowing official narratives to dominate, and advocate for direct engagement with incarcerated individuals rather than relying on state-mediated information. They urge readers and publishers to actively support incarcerated writers through social media, organizations like Empowerment Avenue, and by building direct, collaborative relationships, emphasizing that this work is not charity but a necessary effort to rebuild a broken industry and challenge power structures. ### Motivation for Writing from Prison - Stevie Wilson sought to ensure incarcerated voices, especially marginalized ones, were part of the conversation about prison issues, as they are closest to both problems and solutions - Chris Blackwell was moved to write after witnessing the abuse of a young man in solitary confinement, aiming to expose the harsh realities and prevent others from suffering similar experiences - Emily Nanko emphasized the critical need for incarcerated writers to narrate their own experiences to diversify media and reveal exacerbated societal issues hidden within prisons. ### Challenges in the Writing Process - Incarcerated writers face severe technological limitations, often writing drafts by hand or on typewriters, requiring external volunteers for transcription - Communication is restricted and costly, with Chris Blackwell describing retyping multiple drafts via text-style emails and paying for each message - Stevie Wilson noted that prison regulations often prevent him from receiving his own published work, and officers have destroyed his personal journals and written materials. ### Repression and Retaliation from Prison Officials - Both Chris Blackwell and Stevie Wilson experience direct retaliation, including mail rejection, delayed research materials, and false investigations - Stevie was placed in solitary confinement and transferred for reporting on prison conditions, and his access to information like newspapers is censored - Chris has been blocked from speaking at public forums and legislative hearings, and high-ranking officials have spread false claims about him and his wife. ### Media's Role and Accountability - Emily Nanko highlighted that mainstream media often relies on official statements from prison and police officials, creating a "cozy relationship" that controls the narrative - The panelists stressed that incarcerated reporters challenge this control, leading to blowback and censorship from prison authorities - They advocate for publications to deeply invest in working with incarcerated writers, building direct relationships and sharing power, rather than just offering token bylines. ### Supporting Incarcerated Writers - Readers can support incarcerated writers through social media engagement and by contributing to organizations like Empowerment Avenue, which provides resources and support - Publishers and editors should actively seek to work with incarcerated journalists, building direct relationships and understanding their unique challenges - Collaboration is key, with incarcerated writers seeking partners willing to provide research, share skills, and help build capacity for them to tell their own stories.