Wednesday, September 17, 2025
11:00 - 11:45am EST
In Person: Included with admission. Online: Free. Advance registration required.
Join us for an intimate fireside chat with Jy’Aire Smith-Pennick, a writer, justice advocate, and truth-teller. In this conversation, Jy’Aire reflects on the power of journalism as a tool for accountability and healing. Known for his writing in The Marshall Project, Jy’Aire has written about his experiences in prison and his journey of transformation through education and self-improvement. This fireside chat will discuss how media shapes public perception of justice—and how those most impacted can reclaim the narrative.
We strive to make the penitentiary and our site, programs, and exhibits accessible to all visitors. Click here to learn more about accessibility and accommodations at ESPHS.
Wednesday, September 17 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
10:35am - 4:35pm
Daily. 35 minutes past each hour. Explore the powerful intersection of journalism, incarceration, and censorship—past and present. Through discussion, storytelling, and exploration of archival materials, this program examines the role of imprisoned writers and the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in prisons and jails. Reflect on who gets to speak, what stories are told, and how resistance takes shape through words.
Wednesday, September 17 - Sunday, September 21, 2025
11:00am - 4:30pm
Daily. Available between 11:00 am and 4:30 pm. Inspired by prison newspapers and the power of self-expression, these hands-on activities invite you to explore, reflect, and create. All materials provided—just bring your imagination!