The Truthout Center for Grassroots Journalism is proud to host the annual Keeley Schenwar Memorial Essay Prize, for work authored by people who are currently or formerly incarcerated. Since 2021, each year, we have awarded two prizes for an original essay of 1,500 words or less on the topic of prisons, policing or a related subject. It may be written as a first-person narrative (although that is not a requirement). Each of the two winners is awarded a prize of $3,000. The essays are published on Truthout.

This prize is in honor of Keeley Schenwar, who was a devoted mother, daughter, sister, friend, writer and advocate for incarcerated mothers. Keeley was........

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