Who We Are
The Incarcerated Writers Initiative (IWI) receives submissions from incarcerated writers around the country. Each submitter receives feedback from a Writing Program student or alum, offering suggestions for how they can improve their work and, most importantly, offering words of iInspiration and encouragement. All submissions are considered by the Columbia Journal and IWI Exchange, a publication featuring work by currently and formerly incarcerated writers and visual artists. The IWI also engages with currently and formerly incarcerated people—and their families—through creative workshops in correctional facilities (when possible) and on-campus. This aspect of the program was formerly known as the Incarcerated Artists Project, which was founded by Adam Schwartzman in the Spring of 2018, building on initiatives developed by Writing Program alumni Antoinette Bumekpor '18, Tibo Halsberghe '19, and Heather Radke '19.
Incarcerated Writers Initiative Exchange
IWI Exchange is a publication featuring work by currently and formerly incarcerated writers and visual artists. Read the first, second, and third issues here.