Reflect on a time while you have been living in prison where you have either participated in or witnessed someone else being a part of making a positive difference in someone’s life. Describe the circumstances, as well as what this experience taught you about loving others?
We are all ‘human’ and we all share human qualities, good and bad. Labels like ‘inmate’ or ‘prisoner’ are often associated with dehumanizing thoughts which assist in maintaining mass incarceration. These words and the sense they give that mass incarceration is not a humanitarian issue give fuel to punishment as a political argument rather than an issue that needs cognitive, emotional and spiritual solutions not just physical containment. That is why this prompt aims to capture the existence of one of the most fundamental human qualities and emotions – love.
This experience could be something that took place in a place of worship, the Yard, a common area, visitation or your cell. It could be anywhere, and it could involve anyone, either a staff member or someone who lives alongside you.
Entry Details:
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: August 31, 2023. Decisions will be posted by approximately September 30, 2023.
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.
For all posts from this site as well as current criminal justice issues, you can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
How do I get this info to someone incarcerated?
Several ways. You can print and mail to them. If they have an email system, you can copy and paste it to them. You can give me their mailing address through our contact page and I can print and mail to them. Whatever works best for you.
This is really amazing. You are doing great work. Thank you for what you are doing to support people who experience incarnation.
Thank you for supporting people how are experiencing incarceration.