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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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The South Central way of punishment
circa 2022

The South Central way of punishment

Aylie, ChaseTennessee
Why I am anti-drugs in prison
2021

Why I am anti-drugs in prison

Smart, DavidTennessee
Life at South Central
circa 2021

Life at South Central

Aylie, ChaseTennessee
How can the world you once knew, not know you
October 12, 2020

How can the world you once knew, not know you

1. How can the world you once knew, not know you. When I was a kid, I loved P.F. Flyer's Tenny-shoes. They even came with a little red wagon with the handle and steering on...
Rahman-Bey, Yusuf A.Tennessee
Unfortunately this is my second time in prison
August 26, 2020

Unfortunately this is my second time in prison

1 Unfortunately, this is my second time in prison, and for the same things (H.M.V.O.). Manufacturing meth, and possession of drugs. I flattened a five year sentence, at Northwest Correctional, at the time it was...
Van Helsing, AdamTennessee
I signed the papers and mailed them off
July 21, 2020

I signed the papers and mailed them off

Dear, APWA I signed the paper's and mailed them off, maybe I do have a stage for my voice. Well, I am Yusuf A. Rahman - convicted in the state of Tennessee for Murder Attempt...
Rahman-Bey, Yusuf A.Tennessee
Confusion on the inside and outside: Part 2
July 10, 2020

Confusion on the inside and outside: Part 2

Confusion on the inside and outside Part (2) The public does not understand just what is going on in Tennessee State Prison when it Comes to the Corona virus Pandemic. I am sure most all...
Beasley, TonyTennessee
My life
July 7, 2020

My life

My Life 7-7-2020 I remember Mom standing in the kitchen washing dishis crying. She had no running water, no inside tolit. But that was not what she was crying about. She was crying over my...
Beasley, TonyTennessee
Confusion on the inside and outside
June 22, 2020

Confusion on the inside and outside

Confusion on the inside and outside The Pandemic has left confusion in all states as well as the governor have lef confusion. Tennessee lawmakers have told the judges to find alternatives in sentencing for low-level...
Beasley, TonyTennessee
What would (M.L.K.) say?
June 16, 2020

What would (M.L.K.) say?

What Would (M.L.K.) say? (1 of 2) In response to a question most oftenly asked by Americans who subscribe to the philosophical doctrine of the American prophet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "What would (M.L.K.)...
Africa, JamesTennessee
When the smoke clears
March 3, 2020

When the smoke clears

The Promise land requires you to forsake your comfort to attain your destiny!! As I continue to strive in this perpetual struggle, despite the opposition and indifference I face, I continue to seek the promise...
Mostella, QuintonTennessee
Wreckless
November 4, 2019

Wreckless

WRECKLESS In 1993, I was 21 years old. I lived life way too fast and didn’t expect to live long, nor did I care to -- I was severely broken. That summer, I watched as...
Vaughn, DonaldTennessee
Unjust justice in a racial world
August 22, 2019

Unjust justice in a racial world

Shannon Jarnigan [ID] TPFE 1EA32 3881 Stewarts Ln. Nashville, TN 37218 August 22, 2019 "Unjust Justice in a Racial World" In life we are given choices. What choice we make results on our life good...
Jarnigan, Shannon L.Tennessee
Instituionalized part 3... Who's correcting the correctional officers?
April 18, 2019

Instituionalized part 3... Who's correcting the correctional officers?

Institutionalized Part (3). .. Who’s Correcting the Correctional Officers? Out here in the middle of nowhere of a boondocks known as Wartburg, Tennessee, an audaciously degenerate; yet all too familiar pattern and practice of human...
Africa, JamesTennessee
Cease intense force
January 2, 2019

Cease intense force

First Serial Rights Approximately 4,940 words Cease Intense Force By Napoleon Mendieta Most people talk themselves out when it comes to stopping violence, but the only true form to cease this intense force that destroys...
Mendieta, NapoleonTennessee
The challnges of physical and psychological survival
December 20, 2018

The challnges of physical and psychological survival

[no title] Shannon Jarnigan Nashville, TN The challenges of physical and psychological survival are a major problem in prison. The physical survival is challenging due to numerous of reasons. To be physically fit you have...
Jarnigan, Shannon L.Tennessee
Dear reader
August 21, 2018

Dear reader

8-21-18 Dear Reader, My name is [redacted] #[redacted]. My prison experience began back in 2003 when I was 17 years old on May [redacted] 2000 I was accused of rape the fact is that I...
Mr. UnknownTennessee
Looking through the windows
July 5, 2018

Looking through the windows

Vaughn 1 Looking Through the Windows It was an early spring morning in 1990, and as usual I was late for work. Every morning I drove to dads house and from there he and I...
Vaughn, DonaldTennessee
Institutionalized part 2/ Let us break men in our image
February 28, 2018

Institutionalized part 2/ Let us break men in our image

Institutionalized Part 2/Let Us Break Men in Our Image... Although most prisoner housed indefinitely for extensive periods in solitary confinement, who at some point come face to face in the mirror with this almost unrecognizable...
Africa, JamesTennessee
The purpose of this letter
February 28, 2018

The purpose of this letter

Greetings, The purpose of this letter is to initiate collaboration among all activist for justice organizations on behalf of prisoners seeking to educate themselves for the betterment of themselves and community at large. We feel...
Henderson, DexterTennessee
Essay on how Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) staff are placing medications that are hurting and killing prisoners in the food ate by prisoners that expose or try to expose the unlawful conduct of FDC staff
September 10, 2017

Essay on how Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) staff are placing medications that are hurting and killing prisoners in the food ate by prisoners that expose or try to expose the unlawful conduct of FDC staff

To: American Prison Writing Archive Date: September 10, 2017 Essay on how Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) staff are placing medications that are hurting and killing prisoners in the food ate by prisoners that expose...
Hempstead, HaroldTennessee
Essay on how Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) staff are allowing gang members to live in general population and engage in criminal acts
September 10, 2017

Essay on how Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) staff are allowing gang members to live in general population and engage in criminal acts

To: American Prison Writing Archive Date: September 10, 2017 Essay on how Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) Staff are allowing gang members to live in general population and engage in criminal acts. There's more than...
Hempstead, HaroldTennessee
Essay on the FDC inmate risk management system/sexual risk indicator
September 3, 2017

Essay on the FDC inmate risk management system/sexual risk indicator

To: American Prison Writing Archives From: Harold Hempstead Date: September 3, 2017 (Essay on the FDC inmate risk management system/sexual risk indicator) I was incarcerated in the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) from June 2000...
Hempstead, HaroldTennessee
Essay on how many convicted killers I've received as cellmates out of retaliation for my communications with the media, civil rights groups, agencies, etc. about the unconstitutional conditions of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC)
September 3, 2017

Essay on how many convicted killers I've received as cellmates out of retaliation for my communications with the media, civil rights groups, agencies, etc. about the unconstitutional conditions of the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC)

To: The American Prison Writing Archives From: Harold Hempstead Date: September 3, 2017 Essay on how many convicted killers I've received as cellmates out of retaliation for my communications with the media, civil rights groups,...
Hempstead, HaroldTennessee
Essay on Bledsoe County correctional complex (BCCX) in the Tennesse Department of Corrections (TDOC) not following their own policy concerning the housing of inmates (TDOC policy 506.14)
August 25, 2017

Essay on Bledsoe County correctional complex (BCCX) in the Tennesse Department of Corrections (TDOC) not following their own policy concerning the housing of inmates (TDOC policy 506.14)

To: American Prison Writing Archive (APWA) Date: 8.25.17 Essay on Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX) in the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) not following their own policy concerning the housing of inmates (TDOC Policy 506.14)....
Hempstead, HaroldTennessee
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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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