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PRISONER PUBLISHING NETWORK (PPN) & OUTREACH
The Prisoner Publishing Network was initiated in 1996 at the request of a former prisoner, Akono Jahi, who was incarcerated in Indiana, and has since been paroled. He wanted to get his writings published and appealed to us, not just for himself, but he wanted to form some kind of organization to assist other prisoners in getting their voices heard. The Prisoner Publishing Network was thus formed as a special program under our non-profit organization, Sojourner Truth Farm School. The writings and artwork we try to get into print should be those of politically and spiritually aware, progressive prisoners.

Through the years, increasing numbers of prisoners wrote us for assistance on their cases, most of them claiming wrongful conviction. We began to address these needs and have expanded the Network to assist in those cases which demonstrate evidence of wrongful conviction or unjust sentences. We also try to assist on claims of human rights and religious rights violations.

Currently, we try to address both goals of the Network: publishing and assistance on cases and claims of human rights/religious violations. We are in the process of completing the first volume in the "Inside/Out" series which will feature some of the writings and artwork we have accumulated. Two small grants have been awarded to assist us in this effort. As far as assistance on cases, we are currently focusing on cases in Maryland, North Carolina, Indiana, Michigan, among several other states.