Kiran Koul
Research Mentor: John Buckley
Mentor Department: English Language & Literature, LSA
Author(s): Kiran Koul, Luis Ortiz, Yaritza Quintana Hidalgo, John Buckley
Session: Session 1 (9:00 AM – 9;50 AM)
Presentation Type: Creative Project
Abstract
Everyone has the capacity and creativity to create art and tell their story through artistic expression. However, due to the stigma and stereotyping of incarcerated individuals in the United States, they often lose the freedom to define themselves as respected creators. Our goal was to return this freedom by editing the 18th volume of the Michigan Review of Prisoner Creative Writing, a publication of literary works of various themes, media, and genres as a polished, professional collection. Over the last ten months, the Review received about 150 submissions from over 100 prisoners throughout the Michigan Department of Corrections from 2024 to 2026. Every piece in each submission was carefully reviewed for its comprehensive literary quality by our editorial committee. Accepted pieces were transcribed, edited, formatted, and ordered to preserve the creative integrity of each work. The project culminates with the bound publication of 132 works by 65 incarcerated artists, whose talent is celebrated during PCAP’s annual showcase on March 22nd, 2026. This literary work can be a step towards deconstructing existing prejudices against prisoners through giving a crucially important voice back to them: their creative freedom. This valuable representation will contribute to the gradual deconstruction of the pernicious attitudes and negative stereotypes surrounding the thoughts and perspectives of people in jails, prisons, and beyond.
