Power of The Pen
By Kareemah Hanifa
There’s Power in Manifestation
Power of the Pen is a story about the power of manifestation and art to liberate individuals beyond confinement.
Kareemah Hanifa is a Muslim native of Charleston, South Carolina who has spent the majority of her life in the State of Georgia. As a youth and justice reform advocate and reentry consultant, Kareemah has spoken in countless spaces about the rights of incarcerated people and trains other impacted people to build political power.
About the Issue
Access to writing programs in prisons can provide valuable opportunities for self-expression, literacy development, and personal growth, often through creative writing, journaling, or poetry. These programs, typically run by nonprofit organizations or volunteers, aim to improve mental well-being, foster rehabilitation, and reduce recidivism. However, access is often limited by factors such as institutional resources, funding, and administrative priorities, meaning not all incarcerated individuals have equal opportunities to participate.
Alongside Power of the Pen, we’re advocating for more access to writing materials and programming inside. For those who are incarcerated, writing in a journal can serve as an outlet for processing emotions, reflecting on past experiences, and envisioning a better future.