Our Wining Awards Categories
Newsroom Leader of the Year
For leadership by an incarcerated contributor to a prison press publication. Any individual may nominate potential recipients or any contributor may nominate themselves. To submit, send a letter of nomination.
Woman Prison Journalist of the Year
Outstanding performance by any incarcerated female or female-identifying journalist. Any individual may nominate potential recipients or any contributor may nominate themselves.To submit, send a letter of nomination and one or more samples of the journalist’s work.
Best Alternative News Publication
For general excellence. Eligible entries may be any underground, commentary, small-format, or newsletter publication that seek to provide verifiable or reliable information as part of their mission.
Advisor of the Year
For leadership by an outside volunteer, advisor, or corrections staff sponsor. Any incarcerated person may nominate anyone who has served as an advisor or volunteer. To submit, send a letter of nomination
Charles C. Clayton Award for Best Journalistic Performance
For outstanding coverage of an event or issue in a prison publication.
Best Magazine
For general excellence in a regularly published periodical or single special issue in a magazine format.
Best Newspaper
For general excellence in newspapers established 2021 or earlier.
Best Debut Publication
For general excellence in a publication established between 2022 and the present
Best Opinion
For outstanding performance. Opinion pieces in the form of columns, editorials or op-eds are eligible
Best Feature
For outstanding performance in a short form or newspaper-style feature
Best Longform Magazine Article
For outstanding performance in longform, narrative-driven or explanatory in the magazine-style
Best Sports Coverage
For outstanding performance in sports coverage.
Best Local Coverage
Eligible entries may be any single story or ongoing coverage of a local, regional, or institution-specific topic.