Note:  The following prompt was contributed by Terry Robinson, a long-time WITS writer, board member, author and innocent man on death row.

Life can be a struggle, a challenge to get through the hardships and dilemmas of each day.  No one understands that more than those who are incarcerated.  Sure, life is not all struggle, there are those moments of joy, but for men and women behind bars, we can assume that the struggle outweighs the joy.  Prison isn’t meant to be a place for one to thrive, but instead for behaviors to worsen because a cultivated mind is a hindrance to recidivism, which is bad for business, and prison itself is a business. 

So, in a place where the joys are minimal, the struggles are constant, it’s a wonder how prisoners make it through the day.  Theirs is a resilience worthy of showcasing.

Walk In Those Shoes wants to know – what is your muse?  What is the source of inspiration that you draw from in order to get through each day in prison?  It can be family, books, dreams of a better life, positive change, education, religion – whatever you choose. 

Incarcerated men and women hold phenomenal value.  Share what it is that gives you what it takes to overcome your adversities in prison.

Only those who are incarcerated are eligible to participate. 

We can’t accept anything that has been previously published.

Submission is free – BUT, even if an entry doesn’t win, we consider entry permission to publish and edit.  Sometimes we get so many excellent entries, they can’t all win, but they need to be shared.

Entries should be 1,000 words or less.  Poetry is considered, as long as it is inspired by the prompt.

Submissions can be handwritten.

As done in our previous contests, I will narrow down the entries to the top ten, and then hand them off to individuals to rate the writing with a point system to determine winners.

PRIZES: 

First Place:  $75
Second Place:  $50
Third Place:  $25

DEADLINE:  April 30, 2022.  Decisions will be posted on or before May 31, 2022.

MAILING ADDRESS:

Walk In Those Shoes
Writing Contest Entry
P.O. Box 70092
Henrico, Virginia  23255

Footnote: Entries that do not follow the prompt are not passed on to the judges.