JSTOR Blog
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In this essay for Second Chance Month, Shane Moffat reflects on early school experiences, the sensory memories of his bus rides, and his enduring love for education, demonstrating the power of access, equity, and memory—even behind prison walls.
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Vy Thang’s reflection on education challenges idealized notions of utopia shaped by historical trauma and incarceration. His story illustrates how liberal arts learning becomes a powerful act of self-discovery, resistance, and community building.
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This is JSTOR’s third year of publishing essays, poetry, and artwork from people impacted by incarceration. These stories, as diverse as America itself, remind us of the dreams, aspirations, and connectedness we all share.
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Amplifying marginalized voices through crowdfunding and crowdsourcing in digital archives and libraries. Learn how Reveal Digital’s initiative uncovers underrepresented histories with open access collections hosted on JSTOR.
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The “Second Chance Mentality: First Chance Reality” series, facilitated by JSTOR Access in Prison, provided a platform for voices from those with incarceration histories to be heard.
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Explore Phillip Vance Smith II’s journey through the carceral system, shedding light on the impact of mandatory minimum sentencing and the challenges faced upon reentry into society.
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Discover one woman’s inspiring journey from prison to college graduation, highlighting the impact of mentorship and the challenges faced by individuals with convictions on-campus.
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Striving to overcome a challenging past, Elisha shares her journey from a jail cell to pursuing a dream of becoming a pilot. Embracing hope and resilience, this story sheds light on the transformative power of second chances.
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Struggles of reintegration post-incarceration are examined through personal experiences in this essay, highlighting challenges in navigating systemic barriers, including conflicts faced in a work release program. An individual shares insights on leveraging prison education amidst the complexities of reentry.
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I was faced with a choice early on with my incarceration: allow violence dominance over my life, giving prejudice exactly what it wanted, or change, showing that violent offenders are more than lost causes. I chose the latter, and education would be my cure to cleanse me of this leprosy.
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“Second Chance Mentality: First Chance Reality,” presented by JSTOR Access in Prison, is our 2024 contribution to Second Chance Month. Each week we will offer a direct portal into the minds and hearts of experts on incarceration who we hear about, but not from. I hope to foster a deeper understanding and human connection through…
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Last year’s presentation during Second Chance 2023 was a pivotal moment for me. It was an opportunity not just to share the intricacies of disability within prison walls—a subject close to my heart—but to rekindle the spark of my former self that I thought prison had extinguished.
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The JSTOR Access in Prison theme for April 2024 is “Second Chance Mentality” First Chance Reality.” The title was the result of sessions with learners who were sentenced as juveniles and spent decades in prison.
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Learn how JSTOR Access in Prison has expanded to 1,000 sites, reaching nearly 500,000 incarcerated individuals worldwide. Join us on this audacious journey of education and empowerment.
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These are not exclusive private institutions that are rejecting these applicants; ironically, they have a better shot at these private universities. The ones rejecting these applicants are part of the public university system funded by the taxpayer.
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Author’s Bio: Please do not publish my name if you decide to print. I am in a Physics PhD program in the Midwest. I was completing an undergrad degree when I drove under the influence and almost took someone’s life. I thought I would be a high school science teacher, and I can’t do that…
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This endeavor has brought me a renewed sense of purpose and hope…
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The knowledge I gained in history, philosophy, and sociology proved how little I new about the world.
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But I’m not asking you to let me come crash on your couch. All I’m asking for is a decent shake at life when I get out of this steel cage: a second chance—not a handout, an opportunity. Let me prove myself.
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Prisoners return to society with skewed ethics because prisons are not concerned with helping them structure their lives for reintegration back into the community. This is because prisons are more about detaining and public safety than rehabilitation.
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I dream of the day when I walk out of here, not as an old criminal, but as a man who has been given a second chance to make things right.
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Billy Bragg illustrates the frustrations of post-release job seeking.
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I had to scream into the phone in the hopes that she could hear me tell her that I loved her and that I was going to make her proud.
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while every larger rock and boulder sat hinged like the gaping halves of gigantic clams
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Second Chances are more than a privilege provided, it is the duty to make a difference when we can
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But with the lack of access to programming, I realized that many women felt discouraged from thinking about education. From the long waiting lists to enroll…
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I began referring to myself as a college student although I was still incarcerated. the prison no longer seemed to be a prison anymore. In my eyes I saw a college campus.
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Once the prison term is served the debt to society is paid. In the USA, we have shortages in various careers. Let us return to work.
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the true power of education is not only to enable your dreams, it extends through you to help others actualize theirs, for the pictures a lot bigger than 30 or 60 years of any life.
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Books incite dreams and dreams are dangerous, slipping easily between the bars
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