Debra Des Vignes is the founder of Indiana Prison Writers Workshop. As a former TV news reporter, Debra got her start as an apprentice at ABC-7 in Los Angeles, California, before embarking on a decade-long career as a journalist. She worked closely with law enforcement covering crime and courts in various TV markets: Pocatello, Idaho; Tallahassee, Florida; Birmingham, Alabama. She is a 2025 CNN Hero.
Debra has strategically developed and submitted content that resulted in publication in the Journal of Prison Education and Reentry, advancing international awareness and legitimacy for Indiana Prison Writers Workshop, while positioning the organization as a thought leader in prison education and literacy. Forthcoming mention in textbook: Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice.
