Prison newspapers provide incarcerated individuals a platform to address important topics and promote reform.
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Deep dives
Criminal Plus: A New Membership Program
Criminal introduces its new membership program, Criminal Plus, which offers ad-free listening to Criminal and its other shows. Members also gain access to monthly behind-the-scenes bonus content and exclusive show merchandise. The program aims to provide additional value to listeners and support the show's production.
The Birth of Nash News
Nash News, a newspaper created by incarcerated individuals at Nash Correctional Institution in North Carolina, is discussed. Two inmates proposed the idea of using overstock paper to create a newspaper and gained approval from the prison administration. Nash News aims to go beyond being a bulletin board and tackle difficult issues within the prison environment.
The Content and Impact of Nash News
The content of Nash News ranges from profiles and poems to articles on mental health, restorative justice, and veterans with PTSD. The newspaper addresses important topics and strives to bring about change within the prison community. It offers a creative outlet for communication and expression among incarcerated individuals.
The Significance and History of Prison Newspapers
The episode delves into the significance and history of prison newspapers, highlighting that they provide a platform for incarcerated individuals to have their voices heard. From the first prison newspapers in the early 1800s to contemporary publications, prison newspapers have played a role in sharing information, promoting reform, and instilling hope among prisoners.
A little over sixty years ago, there were 250 prison newspapers being published on a regular basis. Today, there are 26. We visit Nash Correctional Institution in North Carolina to meet Phillip Vance Smith, II, the editor of The Nash News.
Learn more about the American Prison Newspapers digitization project here. Listen to more of Fresh Air’s interview with Angolite editor Wilbert Rideau here. Special thanks to Terry Gross and Fresh Air, which is produced at NPR member station WHYY and distributed by NPR.
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