North Carolina Prison News Today -

POLLEN PRESS

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.

Print Issues

Staff members

Timothy Johnson, Editor

Timothy Johnson is editor of The Nash News and acting editor of NC Prison News Today. In 2021, he graduated summa cum laude from Judson College with a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry and a minor in counseling. He works as a graduate assistant and field minister with the North Carolina Field Minister Program, teaching academic writing to incoming freshmen and training writing tutors. His award-winning creative nonfiction carries a powerful blend of emotion and insight. Editing allows him to fulfill his life’s mission to equip and empower incarcerated individuals and to change the narrative about incarcerated people. He cowrote “Hope for The Hopeless: The Prison Resources Repurposing Act,” a legislative proposal and bill for prison reform in North Carolina; the bill has been introduced in the house three times and the senate once.

Cris Gardner, Assistant Editor

Cris Gardner is the assistant editor, graphic designer, and a contributing writer for The Nash News and NC Prison News Today. He received 1st Place in Best Long-Form Magazine Story in the 2025 Penal Press Contest for “The Spirit of Giving: Two Bodhisattvas of the DAC” and 3rd in Best Local Coverage for “Nash Holds 2024 Mock Election.” He works in the composition department at the Nash Print Plant, and he spends his free time running, playing volleyball, and solving crossword puzzles. He volunteers as a peer observer, where he sits in the special management unit with men who are in suicide crisis. He is also a faith helper for Buddhist services. His greatest joy comes at the end of the week when he speaks on the phone with his son, Chase.

Jon Adams, Contributing Reporter

Jon Adams is the sports reporter for The Nash News and a contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today. He is a senior at Judson College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry through the North Carolina Field Minister Program. He is the assistant editor of Ambassadors In Exile, a newsletter for that program, and a certified tutor and writing consultant for the college. After graduation, he will serve as a field minister, effecting positive change from within prison by doing peer counseling and mentoring. He is passionate about writing stories that capture the potential within incarcerated people, stories that humanize this group and inspire hope in others. Incarcerated at 15, 11 years ago, he is also passionate about juvenile justice reform and rehabilitation.

Howard Ashleman, Contributing Reporter

Howard Ashleman is a journalist for The Nash News and contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today. With only one year of experience, he considers himself a beginner and values the opportunity to improve with the help of the editor and assistant editor. He is married, calling his wife an “amazing woman,” and together they have three dogs, two birds, and a white hamster named Snowball. He works in the maintenance department and enjoys playing basketball for exercise.

Steve Blue, Contributing Reporter

Steven Blue is the art reporter for The Nash News and a contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today. He works in the Nash Print Plant, transforming customer orders into actionable instructions. In his spare time, he dabbles with art, storytelling, and using humor like speaking with vague accents and other types of shenanigans to uplift his fellow residents. His most esteemed achievement is triumphing as two-time defending Nash barista champion.

Tyler Bowman, Contributing Reporter

Tyler Bowman is a reporter for The Nash News and a contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today. He is a sophomore at Judson College through the North Carolina Field Minister Program, where he is earning a degree in pastoral ministry. He is also a creative writing instructor. His journalistic focus leans toward reformative efforts. Other articles of his that highlight prison issues can be found in Dollars & Sense magazine. His first fiction novel, Legacy of Stars, is available at most major online retailers. Whether nonfiction or fiction, the adventure of the journey compels him to write.

Tony Johnson, Contributing Reporter

Tony Johnson is a contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today and was the sports reporter for The Nash News until a recent transfer to another prison to join the Second Chance Initiative program, where he will earn associate and bachelor’s degrees from Campbell University. He received 2nd Place in Best Sports Coverage in the 2025 Penal Press Contest for “Caitlin Clark: Changing the Scope of the WNBA.” In April 2025, he was the featured poet at an event hosted by the Brothas United nonprofit. He writes to highlight the redemption stories, which he believes deserve to be shared boldly and broadly. He aims to show individuals in the prison community the transformation path and to show society that many people in prison are changing.

Kalab Lackey, Contributing Photographer

Kalab Lackey is the photographer for The Nash News and a contributing photographer for NC Prison News Today. He received 2nd Place in Best Photo in the 2025 American Penal Press Contest for his “Peterbilt” photograph. He believes the pictures he takes show that incarcerated people can and do change for the better. He works at the Nash Optical Plant as a data entry technician. He is also a talented singer, dancer, and spoken word performer.

Joseph Lee, Contributer

Joseph Lee contributed to The Nash News and NC Prison News Today as a secretary, graphic designer, illustrator, and photographer until a recent transfer to take a class offered only at another facility. He also contributed to the team through a strong technical background and skill in data acquisition, analysis, and visualization. He worked in the Nash Print Plant in their digital composition department. He was an avid participant in the Nash Art Club. He adopted the care and feeding of the feline population of Nash. Everyday, he was seen feeding them food from his tray.

Barry Mintz, Contributing Reporter

Barry Mintz is the commentator for The Nash News and a contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today. He writes with an eye for transformational themes in the lives of incarcerated people. In 2021, he graduated summa cum laude from Judson College with a bachelor’s in pastoral ministry and a minor in counseling. He works as a graduate assistant and field minister in the North Carolina Field Minster Program. He has been serving life without parole since 2006.

Michael Sutton, Contributing Reporter

Michael Sutton is a journalist for The Nash News and a contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today. He also contributes to both publications through photography. He is a father of nine and veteran from metro-Atlanta. He has an associate degree in Interdisciplinary studies from the University of Phoenix and is a senior at Judson College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry through the North Carolina Field Minister Program. He is the editor of Ambassadors In Exile, a newsletter for that program, and a certified tutor and writing consultant for the college. He finds fulfillment in helping others tell their stories.

Kwame Teague, Contributing Reporter

Kwame Teague is a journalist for The Nash News, a contributing reporter for NC Prison News Today, and a creative writing instructor. He won 3rd Place in Best Opinion in the 2025 American Penal Press Contest for “The Effects of Mass Incarceration on the Children Left Behind.” Over the course of his 30-year incarceration, he has written and published 15 novels, three of which (Dutch 1, 2, and 3) became Essence magazine best sellers. He has also written and produced more than a dozen films for BET, Hulu, Tubi, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, including the Dutch trilogy, Legacy, C.R.E.A.M., and Sin, starring the late Oscar award winning Louis Gossett, Jr. Teague sits on the board of two nonprofits, Barred Business and Lotus Village. He is a humanist and successfully sued the state of North Carolina for the right to have his religion recognized.

Jason Williford, Contributing Cartoonist & Illustrator

Jason Williford has served on The Nash News for seven years as a cartoonist and illustrator. He is a contributing cartoonist and illustrator for NC Prison News Today. Since childhood, he has loved comic art, and his dream has been being a professional illustrator. With instruction from the Nash Art Club and opportunities through The Nash News, he has used his time in prison to refine his skills. His work focuses on comic-style art. He received 2nd Place in Best Visual Journalism in the 2025 American Penal Press Contest for his “Orphan Us” graphic comic.