Reflections on Creative Writing Inside

Abstract

This conversation between teacher and students reflects on their experiences in a class called Creative Writing and Publication, which Allyson Paty has taught for nearly a decade inside the Wallkill Correctional Facility. Throughout the course, students develop their own poetry and prose, workshop the writing of their peers, and work together to design a final publication of their work in an annual print journal. Their discussion includes students’ reflections on finding their voice through writing, seeing their work in print and sharing it with others, and the challenges of censorship in the prison. It concludes with selected poetry and prose from six student contributors who have had their work published by New York University’s Prison Education Program and Gallatin School of Individualized Study over the past several years.