Jeffrey Shockley is a writer serving a life sentence in the State Correctional Institution-Fayette in Pennsylvania.

Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore’s research and reintegration project.

Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore’s research and reintegration project.

Jonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison.

Bandile Ntuli was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre. He participated in a restorative justice programme while inside prison.

Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

Combat veterans fight daily against PTSD and its effects, with little help from the country they pledged to protect. The fight is even harder in prison.

Jonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison.

Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore’s research and reintegration project.

Jonno Knowles was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison and participated in restorative justice while inside the prison.

Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore’s research and reintegration project.

“Hood PTSD” is experienced by children in cities across America. It’s sending people to prison and to the grave.

Dean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2016 until 2017.

Bandile Ntuli was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre. He participated in a restorative justice programme while inside prison.

David van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.

Serving a life sentence amid the noise and violence of prison can be maddening (literally). Here’s how I broke free (metaphorically).

Within captivity’s grasp, a saying goes:
“They say the prison never stays the same,
And that change comes like the swift change of a heartbeat.”
That’s why one should always be observant about everything!
Kind of funny, sounds like life in general.

Before she could fight cancer, Grandma had to fight for her diagnosis.

Wesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore’s research and reintegration project.

I was 15 when I tasted it for the first time at a German inn. The creamy hazelnut spread has been with me ever since — though it’s become harder to obtain while incarcerated in a Florida prison.

After six years in the hole, the mental exhaustion is unbearable. So is the need for human connection. A story shared by a prisoner in Pennsylvania.

Read more on Restore’s workshop which aimed to enhance the writing skills of ex-prisoners and providing support for expressing unique experiences

David van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice programme.

Another day, another act of violence in prison. A story shared by an incarcerated writer.