Voices Uncaged is the shared blog of the women writers workshops at Alaska’s Correctional Centers. Writers of all levels are invited to read, discuss, and write with us during workshop. The writing on this blog consists of anonymous entries submitted by women in these workshops.
From our blog editor: “For over a year, I have converted photographs of their handwriting to formatted digital documents, which has given me an intimate understanding of the writers. In some ways, their providing allowed me to get to know them directly through their recollections and desires. In other ways, I got to know them through where they underlined, where they removed and wrote over, and where the ghost of erased words still imprints the paper. Both ways have allowed me to connect with the passion of their snuffed voices. Even the irrelevant doodles and crammed margins have exemplified their identities and personalities. It’s been a peculiar experience, getting to know the writers through their pseudonyms and scrawlings, being emotionally moved by their vulnerabilities, and virtually publishing their voices for the rest of the world to experience too. All of this, all while thousands of miles away from them!
It has been a privilege to publish the voices of those who would otherwise go unheard. Not only do I appreciate the value of those voices, but by publishing them, I allow anyone around the world to be a click away from valuing those voices too. Just as important, it inspires value in the writers themselves. To know their writing is connecting with the outside world allows opportunities of fulfillment, self-confidence, empathy, and hope. What an honor; to provide connection with the disconnected!”
We are …
50, mother grandmother. Certified drug counselor ex con
35-year-old mother of 3 beautiful girls and in her own opinion is the female equivalent of Peter Pan. She has spent the last twenty years running wild on the playground of life, waiting to be told that it’s time to go home.
A 30 year old prisoner, riddled with regret about having my freedom ripped from me again + again, mother of a 14 year old daughter, who’s waiting for me to reinvent a “me” that doesn’t need a controlled environment to thrive.
Myself: Unwritten. I don’t yet know who I am, 23. Strong willed, devoted to changing my life. Awake to my past open to my future. The rest will speak for itself.
26 years old locked away, waiting for freedom to eventually save the day.
Reunification with mommy’s pride and joy’s 3 precious little girls without their mom Hold on stay strong for all mom’s wrongs are almost right. I’ll be there soon just in new light.
Are you one of the woman writers? Send us an email and we’ll set you up with access to continue writing for this website. Email us at write@voicesuncaged.com