Reading and Writing in Prison

Abstract

A n n e S c h w a n The aims of this special issue on 'Reading and Writing in Prison' are twofold: to insist on the cultural significance of paying serious critical attention to the genre of prison writing beyond canonical authors (such as Oscar Wilde) and to showcase reading and writing in prison as a space for radical pedagogy and social transformation -potential transformation not only for those 'inside' but also those going into prisons as facilitators, be they creative practitioners, academics, or university students.Prison (auto)biography, and reading and writing in prison more broadly speaking, are burgeoning areas of research that lend themselves to fruitful conversations across disciplinary boundaries.

Dreaming Inside: An evaluation of a creative writing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in prison

“…This undermines the often challenging, difficult and confronting experiences had by program participants (McNeill et al., 2011). Of particular relevance to this study, research tends to show that creative writing programs can or do have positive impacts on prisoners, at the very least buffering the impact of some of the well-documented harms associated with incarceration (see Gussak, 2009; Johnson, 2008; Schwan, 2011).…”

Life as an Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Prisoner: Poems of Grief, Trauma, Hope, and Resistance

“…As much as creative writing is an art form, it is the visual arts programs in adult prisons that appear to receive the majority of academic attention. Having said that, there is much more written about the operation and purpose of creative writing (and other arts-based) prison programs in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom (see for example Cheliotis and Jordanoska 2016;Gussak 2009;Hill 2015;Piché 2015;Schwan 2011). Schwan notes that many of the programs in North America and the United Kingdom involve university and college students working with prisoners in programs using reading and writing skills to not only educate prisoners but provide 1 The poems have been reproduced exactly as they appear in the published version, including the positioning and spelling of the words, and the use of capitals.…”