John recounts the arrival of Covid-19 to Sullivan Correctional Facility and its aftermath, in an essay for The New York Times Sunday Magazine. Read the complete story here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/06/magazine/prison-covid.html.
John Discusses JPay, Tom Gores, and Worth Rises in New York Times Op-ed
For the New York Times op-ed section, John discusses the impact JPay has had on him, his career, and his day-to-day existence, both positive and negative. He dives into the call from Worth Rises for Tom Gores to step down and explores other means of achieving positive change. Read the piece here: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/opinion/prison-internet-technology-jpay.html
Why Colleges Should Take a Chance on Prisoners Like Me
For The Chronicle of Higher Education, John writes to college presidents and administrators urging them to take advantage of the new Pell Grant opportunities recently given to them. You can read the piece here: https://www.chronicle.com/article/why-colleges-should-take-a-chance-on-prisoners-like-me
John talks to Noel King about COVID in Sing Sing
On Morning Edition for September 25th, John made an appearance to speak with Noel King about his newest article in New York Magazine which covered the impact of COVID-19 on Sing Sing.
The Story of Sing Sing
In a piece for New York Magazine, John pens the tale of what happened as COVID-19 ran through Sing Sing. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/09/coronavirus-sing-sing-prison-new-york.html
Writing Well From Inside Prison
John, as an advisor for the Prison Journalism Project, shares his views on how to write well from behind bars with some key quotes from amazing people who have influenced his own work. You can read the piece here: https://prisonjournalismproject.org/pjp-stories/writing-well-from-inside-prison
Farewell For Now
Sing Sing is going on hiatus. John updates us on where he’s been transferred and what he has in store for the future.
Ted Conover: Journalism of Empathy
Author/Journalist/Professor Ted Conover talks about his 2000 award winning book Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing and recounts his experience with the New York State correctional system by becoming a correctional officer for nearly a year.
Reginald Dwayne Betts: A Question of Freedom
John chats with award-winning poet/memoirist/teacher Reginald Dwayne Betts about their shared familiarity with the worlds of journalism and incarceration – as well as their thoughts on restorative justice and a reading from Reginald Dwayne Betts.
Inside Composer: Joseph Wilson
Opera composer-inmate Joseph Wilson tells how the Carnegie Hall Music Program inside Sing Sing sparked his love of classical music. He shares about being sexually abused as a child – the events that led him to incarceration – and his ongoing musical collaboration with his sister.