Contests are open to all currently and formerly incarcerated people. They are always free to enter. We accept original works of fiction, poetry, essay, and visual art. Check out our submission guidelines.
Contest #9: Hustle (Closed)
“My hustle is nonstop. I never stop hustling.”
-Young Jeezy
Contest #8: Wisdom (Closed)
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”
-Aristotle
Contest #7: Energy (Closed)
"Energy is liberated matter, matter is energy waiting to happen."
-Bill Bryson
Contest #6: Legacy (Closed)
“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.”
-Shannon L. Alder
Contest #4: Fear (Closed)
"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom."
-Bertrand Russell
Winner: "F*ck Fear" by Touch
Finalist: "Dear Fear" by Stack Bandz
Finalist: "My Fear" by Manny the Mack
Finalist: "Some Kid" by Anthony Patino
Finalist: "What I'm Doing in Prison" by Jose Soto
Contest #2: Time (Closed)
"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life."
-Charles Darwin
Winner: "Wasted Time" by Daunte Gonzalez
Finalists: "Time is Timeless" by Asaad Solomon
"Punctuality" by Isaiah Bloome
"Time" by Jazzy J
"This Time" by Cesar Rivera
Contest #5: Change (Closed)
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
-Leo Tolstoy
Winner: "Becoming Me" by Violet Bonner
Finalist: "Mangled Webs Pt. 1 & 2" by Rasaun Bullock
Finalist: "Can you hear me lord?" by Maurice Best
Finalist: "Eulogy" by Keith Clarke
Finalist: "Change" by Zara the Great Mind
Contest #3: Faith (Closed)
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."
-J.R.R. Tolkien
Winner: "My Faith" by Monte Barrett
Finalist: "Once Again" by Erik Bareto
Finalist: "Faith in Faith" by Bruno Mamwalee
Finalist: "Wait for It" by Malik Shabazz-Pizarro
Finalist: "See" by Melvin Williams
Contest #1: Heroes and Villains (Closed)
"If you look in real life, it is very hard to describe people as good people, bad people, heroes or villains. People aren’t bad people. They all have their justifications.”
-Lennie James
Winner: "My Angel" by Thomas Powers
Finalists: "My Family" by Isaiah Bloome
"Revenge" by Daunte Gonzalez
"Escape from Spiderhead 2" by Brandon Hong
"What the F*ck is a Hero?" by Bruno Mamwalee