The American Penal Press Contest
American Penal Press Contest
Welcome to the American Penal Press Contest! Originally launched by Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (SIU) in 1965, the contest was revived by SIU and Pollen Initiative in 2025!
The contest aims to bolster the prison press by shining a light on its strength, providing professional feedback, encouraging healthy competition between publications, and building common ground between the prison press and the outside journalism industry.
You can read our Special Issue of the 2025 winners below:
Mail us a completed entry form and nominated stories to the addresses provided on our “Entry Guidelines” page. Please note that our categories have been updated!
Submissions will be accepted from April 1 to May 31, 2026.
Winners will be announced at the second annual American Penal Press Contest ceremony on Sept. 18, 2026, held at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.
Email us at americanpenalpresscontest@polleninitiative.org.
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