The Prison Journalism Project Trains Incarcerated Inmates to Become Published Journalists

Photo Credit: The American Prospect

See how incarcerated writers are breaking stereotypes and shifting the narrative from behind the wall.

Check out this article by incarcerated writer Jeffrey Shockley. Shockley has been incarnated for 23 years. He is currently incarcerated in Pennsylvania.

In the article “Pennsylvania Institutes Prison Pay Increase, A First in 30 Year,” Shockley discusses the recent pay raise implemented by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections in which prison wages have been increased by 20%. As of 2023, the minimum wage has gone from 19 cents to 23 cents, and the hourly range is now 23 cents to 50 cents for most jobs.

Shockley says this pay increase is significant as the cost of prison commissary and essentials have increased due to inflation.

“A packet of ramen noodles that used to cost 28 cents is now 38 cents. A 4 ounce bag of Maxwell House coffee went from $2.91 to $3.61. A particular brand of deodorant went from $2.31 to $2.95; a bar of soap that used to go for 83 cents is now $1.49”.

He says it can take a full day’s work to afford a single bar of soap.

Read the entire story here.

The Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers to become journalists and publishes their stories. Subscribe to Inside Story to receive exclusive behind-the-scene looks at publications, as well as author profiles and other insights.

YSL Public Defenders Planning to Quit Trial Due to Low Pay

Photo Credit: WSBTV/Channel 2 News

Man! Young Thug can’t catch a break. Now the public defense lawyers representing his co-defendants are threatening to quit due to insufficient funds.

I understand their point. If the case is taking up a significant amount of time, then yes they are being paid insignificantly for their time and efforts. Nobody can afford to live off $15,000 per year. Especially in Atlanta the city of “bullshit walks, money talks”.

I wonder what will the counsel quitting the trial midstream do for Young Thug’s defense? Will it delay the trial until new counsel can be obtained & prepped? Who knows how long that could take. That means Thug will most likely have to stay in jail in the interim. So far there have been multiple delays during the jury selection process due to intricate candidate screening – among other hold ups. To date, jury selection has taken 4 months with no end date in sight.

WSBTV ATLANTA— Several attorneys in the high-profile case of alleged criminal street gang Young Slime Life and rapper Young Thug say if they’re not paid more, they may quit the trial.

They say the small amount they have been paid is affecting their livelihoods because they do not have time to work on other cases.

“It’s bigger than we just want money,” defense attorney Justin Hill said.

“A case of this length not only affects the indigent clients but also our paying clients,” defense attorney Eric Johnson said.

The Georgia Public Defender Council is paying each attorney $15,000 to represent their clients at trial, regardless of how long it takes.

“I didn’t know that I would be there every single day. I’m not able to take on any other case. I’m not able to go to other court hearings. I’m not able to go to anything else,” said defense attorney Angela D’Williams.

These attorneys say they were told the trial could last anywhere from nine to 12 months, but jury selection has taken months longer than anticipated.

A spokesperson for the GPDC said in a statement, in part, “The agency is open to meeting with the attorneys, though their demand for a payment of $33,260.00 per attorney and at least $15,000 per attorney per month going forward present considerable challenges.”

Christian Cipollini Presents: “Lucky” — A Gangster Comic

Photo Credit: IG/GanglandLegendPart2

Author and crime historian Christian Cipollini is back with a new biographic novel and of course I had to share. He has teamed with Gorilla Convict to present this inventive masterpiece that only a true crime buff can appreciate.

I had the pleasure of receiving an advance copy of the comic storybook “LUCKY” which chronicles the rise and fall of the Italian mafia’s bad boy Lucky Luciano. The press packet also contains a book trailer which brings the project to life.

The graphic novel, which is now on Kickstarter, is illustrated by Yevgeniy Franstev.

If you grew enjoying comic books, this comic will bring back a bit of nostalgia. It has an incredibly vivid and colorful visual layout. The story line is intriguing and engaging from start to finish. Of course anything featuring the mafia is always going to be compelling.

Mix a little comic with a little gangster and bada bing! You’ve got LUCKY.

Check back later for a more in-depth review but in the meantime check out the official book trailer and become a backer.