Pollen Press
Pollen Press
Pollen Press
Pollen Press
OUR PUBLICATIONS
San Quentin News
Founded in 1940, San Quentin News is an incarcerated-managed newspaper based at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in Northern California. As one of the legacy prison publications in the United States, it provides an authentic voice from behind prison walls. The paper covers a variety of topics such as: prison reform, rehabilitation, success stories, and current events affecting system-impacted individuals. San Quentin News is committed to offering balanced and accurate reporting, fostering a sense of community, and promoting transparency within the prison system. Through the paper, incarcerated individuals gain valuable journalism and communication skills, empowering them to create positive change in their lives and the lives of others.
CCWF Paper Trail
CCWF Paper Trail is a pioneering publication that serves the largest women’s prison in the world. We showcase and represent the people who live and work at CCWF as well as motivate, inspire, encourage change, provide hope and share our lived experience. We also seek to highlight changes within these walls, bring awareness to the wider world about what happens here, our accomplishments and our struggles. Our goal is to represent all communities, cultures and subcultures within the institution. We want to show that CCWF residents care about giving back to society and utilize restorative justice principles to do so.
Mule Creek Post
Mule Creek Post is a prison publication dedicated to sharing the news, events, and stories of the Mule Creek community. The Post has been around for about a decade and in that time, their mission has been to present content and messaging that encourages rehabilitation and pro-social values. The staff writers aim to enhance a sense of community, creativity, and positivity both in and outside of Mule Creek State Prison.
The Echo
The Echo is the official newsletter of the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution created by the incarcerated. It's mission is to serve the incarcerated community by providing monthly news and other important information, while highlighting the human experience in the carceral setting. The Echo has been supported by Pollen Initiative since March 2025.
1664
1664 – just another number in a prison system where everyone is reduced to a collection of integers in a specific order. State Identification number; employee number; court case number; DPSST number. By its nature the justice system removes the humanity from each of us in the name of accuracy, fair treatment, and consistency. Welcome to a new number: 1664. 1664 focuses on the arts and human-interest stories of the people who live and work here. They aim to: Showcase writing and artwork from incarcerated members of the community, explore issues that affect the lives of people who live and work in the prison setting, capture the humanity of people throughout the justice system and offering inspiration to others, and highlight efforts at rehabilitative practices within the Oregon Department of Corrections.
Hard Climb Journal
The Hard Climb Journal is a publication out of the California Correctional Institution at Tehachapi. It is produced by a staff of eight incarcerated journalists under the supervision of Lt. J. Robinson, PIO Lt. T. Harris. HCJ is committed to equality, innovation, and social justice, embracing the ideas and practices of others.
The Razor Wire
The Razor Wire is a quarterly newsletter published out of the California Institution for Women. It was founded in December 2023 to share the stories of the CIW community and is committed to giving voice to their entire population and covering topics that matter.
The Nash News
Founded in 2005, the motto for The Nash News (TNN) is: Information and the arts from the prison community. TNN has always embraced the same mission: to provide timely and useful information to the incarcerated population; offer a forum for discussion, dialogue, and creativity; encourage, give hope, and strengthen the Nash prison community; and instill an appreciation for the written word.
North Carolina Prison News Today
North Carolina Prison News Today (NCPNT) is a publication operated by incarcerated people in partnership with North Carolina's Department of Adult Correction. NCPNT's motto is: Amplifying the voices of the incarcerated statewide. Our mission is to speak with authenticity, truth, and courage — addressing issues that impact North Carolina’s population of adult correction inmates. Through this shared voice, we aim to accomplish several goals. Our goals are rooted in a belief that people of any background have the potential for positive growth, reform, and value to their society. We advocate for the rights of the incarcerated and for reformative justice. We aim to promote camaraderie and enjoy some levity along the way. At every opportunity, we aim to share the voices of our peers, amplify their successes, and support the incarcerated along our common path.
