The prison press goes back to 1800.
In the 1960's there were more than 250 prison newspapers across the US, but that number has dwindled.
In the latest "What the Media?!!?" podcast, Megan Lynch and Julie Smith talk with Kate McQueen, Editor at Prison Journalism Project, about efforts to find and document prison newspapers, and train new journalists working behind bars.
Listen to the latest What the Media Podcast
"Giving a community the opportunity to share information publicly, to clear up rumor, to develop professional skills -- it's just huge," says McQueen. She adds, those prison journalists feel their work gives them a voice, that people want to hear what they have to say.
Prison Journalism Project features the work of prison newspapers on its site.
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