Volunteer

Consider volunteering or donating funds for us to continue our work.

We offer creative writing courses year round at Indiana correctional facilities.  We are expanding slowly but appreciate your interest.

Indiana Prison Writers Workshop volunteer instructors have a genuine love for the written word. We lead weekly and/or monthly creative writing classes inside Indiana correctional facilities. There are other volunteer opportunities as well including fundraising to help provide journals, composition books for students.

For some young people, the route to prison is more paved than the road to college. Do you want to help them find their voice and navigate a new path?

We lead a small group (10-15) of men or women in a classroom setting. The program is a welcoming, safe community for self-expression, discovery, and meaningful connection.

The curriculum includes short story readings and discussions, writing prompts on race, poverty, social integration, the frailty of mind and body, vulnerability through trauma, victimization, mental illness, and drug and alcohol addiction. We write about hope and new beginnings. We write cover letters and offer frequent grammar tests to measure program progress and build success.

Some of the volunteer requirements include but are not limited to:

  • 21 years of age or older
  • Current automobile insurance
  • Complete Department of Correction background check
  • In-person interview with the founder
  • Complete training
  • Commitment

This is a volunteer opportunity. We are unable to reimburse volunteers for travel, time, printing, and other associated costs.