As they ushered me through the mechanical gates of the Hagerstown Correctional Institution, I couldn’t help but feel a wave of guilty excitement wash over me. But the weight of the metal bars and the stern faces of the guards seemed to suffocate any semblance of hope that lingered in the air. They told me I smiled too much, unfit conduct for a prison. Like an innocent little girl who couldn’t be read. Truth is, I was a little girl. I was 21, trying to poker face my way through our first meeting. On the surface, I seemed poised, bold, nonchalant. But deep down I desperately wanted to connect, build, and learn.
In 2014, amidst the harsh confines of the prison walls, I founded Writer’s Block, a creative writing workshop for the incarcerated. It was a small beacon of light in the darkness, a glimmer of hope for those whose voices had long been silenced. Wayne from Slant Light Poets connected me with Ms. Barbara, the volunteer coordinator at the facility, and I poured my heart and soul into crafting a weeks-long proposal.
As I stepped into the classroom for our inaugural session, I was met with a sea of hardened faces, each one carrying the weight of their own story. Some looked at me with skepticism, others with curiosity, but all with a hint of longing for something more.
Over the weeks that followed, Writer’s Block became more than just a workshop; it became a sanctuary for self-expression, a safe haven where inmates could unleash the power of their words and explore the depths of their imagination. We delved into poetry, prose, and everything in between, each session filled with laughter, tears, and moments of profound revelation.
For many of the men in the workshop, writing became a lifeline, a means of escape from the harsh realities of prison life. Through their words, they found solace, healing, and a sense of purpose that transcended the confines of their cells. Together, we wove a tapestry of stories, each one a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
As I look back on those early days of Writer’s Block, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude and awe. What started as a simple idea blossomed into a transformative journey, touching the lives of countless individuals and leaving an indelible mark on my own heart.
Though the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, I am determined to continue the work we started, to give a voice to those who have been silenced and to shine a light in even the darkest of places. For within the walls of the Hagerstown Correctional Institution, amidst the echoes of despair, there lies a spark of hope—a spark that ignites the flames of creativity and fuels the power of the written word. And with Writer’s Block as our guiding light, I am confident that together, we can break free from the chains of our past and forge a brighter future for all.