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J o u r n a l o f P r i s o n e r s o n P r i s o n s
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"People who believe prisoners are not being punished point with disdain
to a colour television set and a ghettoblaster in a prison cell to support
thier argumenets. To them, it appears that physical, emotional, and psychological
pain that one can see with the naked eye is the only real form of punishment. Likewise,
there are parents who punish their children by physical beatings because they believe anything short
of physical pain will not be effective. I suggest the same applies to some guards and their
daily treatment of prisoners. If a prisoner is not in obvious pain and anguish, if he is not being
made to visibly suffer, punsihment is not being properly administered. Still, any person who has suffered
long term emotional and psychological abuse would be horrified that anyone would be so lacking
in insight and understanding that they would point to radios, television sets, and a soft bed
as evidence that real punishment under the law is not being carried out."
-Victor Hassine, from JPP Vol. 9:2 (1998)
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Journal Content
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Any JPP May Include the Following Features:
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Cover Art: The JPP has included prisoner submitted art for covers. Art
itself is an expression of identity, much like writing, and can act as a means of resistance
(See Ghunna 1996-1997; JPP 7:1).
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Editor's Introduction: Allows the primary editor(s) to put the articles
into perspective, contextualize the issue, and comment on the status of the journal,
along with the discourse it has and continues to produce (See Davidson 1988/89; JPP 1:2).
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Prisoner Written Articles:
The JPP and the prisoners involved have
worked exceptionally hard over the years to produce articles. One can
imagine the obstacles and barriers faced. Writers are often passionate, and relate their accounts and experiences in ways filled
with remarkable strength, courage, and insight that transcend the academic, forcing
readers to challenge their ideas surrounding 'criminal justice' and social control (See Bourque 1989; JPP 1:1).
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The Response section allows for editors, board members
and prisoners to relate issues of concern, reflections, and thoughts to
one another, enhancing the collaborative process the JPP tries to
undertake. Over time, prison writers, editorial staff and JPP board
have used the section as a vehicle to communicate and educate each other about the
manifestations, nature, and realities of incarceration. This section has primarily
been written by non-prisoners (fellow travelers) (See Gaucher 1993; JPP 4:2).
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The JPP contains other sections that have appeared on numerous occasions,
although they have not remained as consistent as the other three:
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The Prisoners' Struggles section
started in Volume (2:2)
as a feature that allowed prisoners to help gain support while incarcerated. Struggle, whatever form it may take, is resistance against oppression.
Writings in the Prisoners' Struggles section expose how the prison-industrial complex feeds off of and reproduces oppression of prisoners, but also
often indicates how oppression can be resisted. This section sometimes will include writings by organizations on the outside that are involved in
outreach and solidarity work.
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The Book Review section is open for prisoners, former prisoners, and fellow travellers
to participate in the critical analysis of books written by academics and prisoner-written publications.
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Reply/Interchange/Dialogue: These sections have appeared on different occasions, with contributors replying to each other or interchanging discourse amongst one another on a given topic (See 2009; JPP 18:1&2).
To view our journal content online (pdf format), consult our Back Issues.
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