1st Issue

writing program

Chained Minds to Changed Minds is a monthly online publication featuring the writing of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth. Its production is guided by a dynamic editorial team of incarcerated youth whose words and ideas are at the heart of all aspects of this project, from its name, to its vision statement, to the themes for each issue.

Each issue showcases the writing and artwork of courageous youth, whose works address a particular theme with unflinching truth.  In doing so, they give voice to the challenges that so many youth face living at the margins of our society and make clear the hard work they must do to transform their lives.  

Through sharing their writing and art, participating youth have found a positive outlet for their emotions and have created new and empowered perspectives of themselves that transcend the labels of “inmate” or “criminal”.

It is our hope that their powerful and wise words will serve as change-agents to open the hearts and minds of all those who read them.

VISION STATEMENT

Incarcerated youth writing to clear their conscience and express their feelings that are hard to speak. They will explain what they have been through, where they came from, and how they would like to change their mindset. They want to share their voices with an audience of their kind, and to let people know that change is okay and they are not alone.