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If you are working on an APWA-related project, please let us know how you plan to utilize the Archive. We hope to share information about your work with our readers and, whenever possible, with relevant APWA authors.

The APWA is an open access archive. We encourage use of the writings for research, course planning, and projects engaged in examination of the criminal legal system. Reproduction of essays in their entirety infringes on author copyright without their explicit consent from the writers. Please contact us if you plan to reproduce entire essays; we will do our best to put you in contact with the authors for consent, and their compensation for any project that is profit making.

*At this point in the Archive’s growth, it’s important to revisit actions taken to protect privacy when the APWA had fewer resources. For this reason, we are temporarily pulling all essays and poetry under pseudonyms and anonymity to quality check and ensure all identity protecting redactions have been thoroughly applied. The privacy of the writers in the APWA is a top priority, and so is displaying their writing as they wish it to be displayed. We will restore all pieces as soon as we can confirm the highest quality privacy protections.

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You fit the description
April 16, 2024

You fit the description

 SUBJECT: You Fit The Description/Johns Hopkins DATE: 04/16/2024 02:29:56 PM FOR SUBMISSION: American Prison Writing Archive Johns Hopkins University 3400 Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21285 [email protected] [email protected] YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION By Shawn D. Baldwin...
Baldwin, Shawn D.Illinois
Quantum entanglement
April 2024

Quantum entanglement

 QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT All the atoms of the universe they say are linked together, as thoughts and dreams among us all are to each of us a tether. Where atoms knock and bang around and: signal...
Wyman, AlanIllinois
Honest life
circa 2024

Honest life
Bowman, TylerNorth Carolina
A prisoner's love
circa 2024

A prisoner's love
Bowman, TylerNorth Carolina
Lost
circa 2024

Lost
Colvin, RaymondPennsylvania
Wisz poems
circa 2024

Wisz poems
Lewis, Kenneth Wayne
My mind
2024

My mind
Barnes, "Wild Bill"
Let them work
circa 2024

Let them work

 Let Them Work By Michael Nobles “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject...
Nobles, MichaelTexas
Thank you for your service, they say
2024

Thank you for your service, they say

 THANK YOU, FOR YOUR SERVICE, THEY SAY [Pulitzer] Copyright (c), 2024 By Wesley Carroll [Inspired By The Unknown Soldiers, Now Known] Several tours I have served, All for this country and our freedoms, That we...
Carroll, Wesley
Prisoners rights only presents: the fix
circa 2024

Prisoners rights only presents: the fix
Watison, RaymondTennessee
Thinking of marrage while incarcerated
circa 2024

Thinking of marrage while incarcerated
Benefield, Kevin M., Sr.Connecticut
A sacrifice to the human condition
Spring/Summer 2024

A sacrifice to the human condition
Gafamore, SidTexas
Under Lady Liberty's darkened torch
circa 2024

Under Lady Liberty's darkened torch

 UNDER LADY LIBERTY'S DARKENED TORCH America, America, how far you've strayed from truth and justice as a consequence Of court rules without a tooth. Now judges rule as kings with a black heart in every...
Wyman, AlanIllinois
Depths
December 12, 2023

Depths
Colvin, RaymondPennsylvania
The minorities
November 1, 2023

The minorities
Shedrick, James CalvinPennsylvania
How bizarre
May 22, 2023

How bizarre

 "HOW BIZARRE" By Mr. Patrice Lumumba Daniels-Joliet Treatment Center It's 9pm lockup time & without any thought given I get up to go to my cell BUT what if today I don't wanna lockup? "what's...
Daniels, Patrice LumumbaIllinois
[Untitled]
May 20, 2023

[Untitled]

 Author: Pseudonym: 3 Lynn Bodhi Title: Date: May 20, 2023 What I hide behind my smile will not surface for the while I show my teeth but underneath a part of me is aching to...
3 Lynn BodhiNew York
When the MDOC yells "CHOW!"
May 17, 2023

When the MDOC yells "CHOW!"
Copeman, Jack S.Michigan
Est. 1988
May 5, 2023

Est. 1988

 Author: Title: Est. 1988 Date: June 5, 2023 Stepping inside this storage room of mine I shudder arms become goose bump covered. I tried to scream, to breathe It’s only a dream Memories smeared with...
Black WidowNew York
Saving grace
May 4, 2023

Saving grace
NovaWashington, D.C.
Do the time
March 25, 2023

Do the time

 Do the Time 3/25/23 Any news? When you coming home? Got my auntie asking 7:10 over the phone Sitting' on a unit I blew it never knew I'd lose out on life Other end of...
NovaWashington, D.C.
My bower
February 15, 2023

My bower
Odum, HannahTexas
The threat of a slave
February 10, 2023

The threat of a slave
Arnold/SlimIllinois
New year confession
January 25, 2023

New year confession

 New Year Confession by Shukri Abu Baker New year, big beginnings, big appetite for honeyed change, big confessions to make: I feel oppressed, yes, and sorry for you, my agonized oppressor. In the spirit of...
Baker, ShukriTexas
Where I belong
January 22, 2023

Where I belong
Arnold/SlimIllinois
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If you are working on an APWA-related project, please let us know how you plan to utilize the Archive. We hope to share information about your work with our readers and, whenever possible, with relevant APWA authors.

APWA is an open access archive. We encourage use of the writings for research, course planning, and projects engaged in examination of the criminal legal system. Reproduction of essays in their entirety infringes on author copyright without their explicit consent from the writers. Please contact us if you plan to reproduce entire essays; we will do our best to put you in contact with the authors for consent, and their compensation for any project that is profit making.

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