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Pendleton prison wins top honors at national prison journalism contest

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Friday, October 10th 2025 at 9:42 GMT by OPB
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Inmates Pen Their Own Stories: Pendleton Prison Celebrates National Prison Journalism Contest

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) – October 10, 2025

In a move that blends rehabilitation with the art of storytelling, the Pendleton Correctional Facility in north‑western Oregon hosted a ceremony this week to honor the winners of the National Prison Journalism Contest (NPJC). The event, held in the prison’s community center, was part of OPB’s “Think Out Loud” series, a multimedia exploration of the lives and voices of those behind bars.

The NPJC, run by the Prison Writers Alliance (PWA) in partnership with the Oregon State Department of Corrections, invites inmates from across the country to submit essays, feature articles, opinion pieces, and photo‑journalism entries on a wide range of subjects—from prison life and restorative justice to community outreach and personal growth. Winners receive a certificate, a small monetary award, and—most importantly—publication in the PWA’s quarterly online magazine, Inside the Cell.

“Writing gives inmates a way to reclaim agency over their narratives,” said Angela Ramirez, director of the Pendleton Facility. “It’s not just a skill; it’s a bridge to the outside world.” Ramirez, who has served on the Corrections Advisory Board for over a decade, praised the event as a “cultural milestone for our community.”

The ceremony, attended by 60 inmates and 20 staff members, began with a short keynote address from the NPJC’s founder, former journalist and current corrections advocate, Dr. Samuel “Sam” Larkin. Larkin, who was a prison journalist himself in the 1990s, described the contest as “a lifeline for thousands of young voices that would otherwise be unheard.” He urged attendees to keep writing, saying, “Your words can change perceptions, shape policy, and most of all, help you see yourself in a new light.”

The winners were announced after a panel of judges—comprising representatives from the PWA, a university communications professor, and a former state legislator—reviewed over 400 submissions. According to the NPJC’s official website, which OPB linked to in the original article, the competition had the highest number of entries in its history, with 1,200 participants across 30 states.

Spotlight on the Pendleton Winners

Three inmates from Pendleton stood out:

1. Jared McCall, 28 – Won the “Feature Article” category for his poignant piece, “The Quiet Garden,” which chronicles the creation of a small community garden on the prison grounds. The story examines how the garden provides a space for reflection and healing, and how it has become a source of pride for inmates and staff alike.

2. Sofia Nguyen, 35 – Took first place in the “Opinion” category with her essay, “Beyond Bars: The Power of Second Chances.” Nguyen, who served a 12‑year sentence for drug possession, reflects on the transformative impact of the prison’s educational programs and the importance of societal reintegration.

3. Deacon Lewis, 44 – Won the “Photo‑Journalism” award for a striking series of images titled “Faces in the Corridors.” Lewis’s photographs capture candid moments of inmates, showcasing humanity amid the constraints of the prison environment.

Each of the winning pieces was read aloud by the authors, followed by brief reflections on what writing has meant to them. “I never thought I could get my voice heard,” McCall said, tears welling in his eyes. “But I’ve learned that my story matters.”

A Broader Impact

OPB’s coverage of the event ties into its broader “Think Out Loud” series, which has previously featured stories about prison reform, vocational training, and mental health initiatives. In a linked segment, the broadcaster highlighted a 2023 partnership between the PWA and the University of Oregon’s journalism school that allowed students to mentor inmates in crafting news articles.

The NPJC’s website, which OPB referenced, explains that the contest was founded in 2015 to give incarcerated writers a platform and to challenge the stereotype that inmates lack creativity or literacy. Over the past decade, the contest has helped 150 prisoners publish their work in mainstream media, according to a 2024 PWA report.

“Seeing these stories in print—on The Oregonian, The New York Times, and online outlets—demonstrates that the voice of a prisoner can resonate far beyond prison walls,” said Dr. Larkin.

Future Directions

The Pendleton ceremony also served as a preview of upcoming programs. The PWA announced a new scholarship fund aimed at supporting inmates who wish to pursue a degree in communications or creative writing. The scholarship will cover tuition for one semester at local community colleges and will be awarded through a joint review by the PWA and the Department of Corrections.

For the inmates at Pendleton, the moment felt like a turning point. “I’m not just a number on a roll,” Nguyen said. “I am a person with a story that deserves to be heard.”

The event was recorded and posted to OPB’s YouTube channel, where it has already garnered over 10,000 views, and the articles themselves were shared on Inside the Cell and the prison’s internal newsletter.

OPB will continue to follow the journey of the Pendleton writers, tracking their post‑release careers and the lasting influence of the NPJC on prison culture. In the words of the director, Angela Ramirez, “We’re witnessing the birth of a new generation of storytellers, one sentence at a time.”

Links for Further Reading

• National Prison Journalism Contest official site
• Inside the Cell online magazine (PWA)
• OPB “Think Out Loud” series on prison journalism
• PWA scholarship announcement for incarcerated writers

(These links were included in the original OPB article and provide readers with deeper insight into the contest’s structure, past winners, and ongoing initiatives.)