Why Indiana Prison Writers Workshop is needed

HISTORY
Indiana Prison Writers Workshop (IPWW) was founded in September 2018 by Debra Des Vignes who taught a single creative writing class to ten men at Plainfield Correctional Facility in Plainfield, Indiana. Since then, IPWW has grown into an organization with a team of nine facilitators who use a single curriculum to lead writing workshops inside five Indiana state prisons; three prisons in Alabama; the Cook County Jail in Chicago, Illinois; soon to be in Kentucky.

ABOUT
In a world that often looks down upon those who have made mistakes, the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop provides a guiding light, offering incarcerated individuals the chance to transform their lives through the power of words, accessing deeper levels of the heart. This unique program has not only proven that writing has therapeutic benefits, but has also demonstrated how education and creativity can break down barriers and bring about positive change within the prison system.

The process of drafting, editing, and revising encourages critical thinking and communication abilities goes beyond healing and develops important life skills preparing them for reintegration into society upon release. The confidence gained through writing can translate into various aspects of life, helping in job interviews, relationships, and personal development.

Writing support is offered for alumni once released from prison including public speaking and publishing opportunities on the IPWW blog.