Introduction:

Prison Diaries is a new project of Students Expressing Truth, an inmate-driven prison rehabilitation program that focuses on the successful reintegration of prisoners into Jamaican society upon release. Prison Diaries trains select inmates how to blog and podcast about their daily realities within the Jamaican prison system. According to project leader, Kevin Wallen, “Through blogging, inmates are able to tell their stories. They are able to paint a realistic picture of life behind bars and the consequences of crime. Currently, Jamaica’s music and media idolize the ‘badman’ or ’shotta’ and portray as role models those who have been incarcerated. Many of our youths now think that prison is a ‘cool’ place to be, until they themselves are faced with the harsh truth. The Diary of an Inmate blog will allow all Jamaicans to learn about the realities of Jamaica’s overcrowded prison system with the hope that this will counteract the false ideas implanted by the media.”

Information:

• Web: Prison Diaries
• Web: Students Expressing Truth
• Intro Video: Prison Diaries in Jamaica
• Project Blog: Prison Diaries
• Photo: Flickr