The Freedom to Write

Two recent articles (links below) describe the BOPs revision of  the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) policy statement governing prisoners’ rights to write for the public with a byline! Read the revised CFR details here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-9373.pdf http://www.allgov.com/Controversies/ViewNews/Prisoners_Win_Right_to_Work_as_Reporters_100427 Prisoners Win Right to Work as Reporters Tuesday, April 27, 2010 Inmates in federal penitentiaries will now be able […]

Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace

Date Read: June 11, 2009 Book Title: Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace Author: Joseph M. Williams Publisher: Pearson/Longman (2006) Nonfiction: 148 pages Style was the eighth book I read in 2009. Reason I read Style: I am very fortunate to have found mentors who help me. Recently, I made a friend here at […]

Why I Set High Standards for Myself in Prison

I strive to be the best in the world at what I do. That means I must measure my progress not in accordance with what others in society achieve, as they have resources that are beyond my reach. I measure my progress every day, and I compare the growth I make with others who have […]

A Long-term Prisoner’s Reaction to Bush’s Clemency Orders

As I sat watching the CNN broadcast on Monday evening, November 24, 2008, I read a streaming announcement on the bottom of the screen. President Bush had commuted the sentences of two federal prisoners and granted pardons to fourteen other people. Although that news should have filled me with optimism, I was filled with a […]

Does Writing Influence My Status in Prison?

I’ve never fit the profile of a long-term prisoner. Rather than adjusting in ways that would bring me power through violence, I focused on educating myself. Instead of thinking about living in prison, my total commitment was in preparing for the life I wanted to lead upon release. That strategy required me to suspend my […]

Click: What Millions of People are Doing Online and Why it Matters by Bill Tancer

As a long-term prisoner, I’ve never had a direct experience with the Internet. Through my wife and partners, I’ve been writing content for my Web site at MichaelSantos.net since the late 1990s, but all of my knowledge about the Internet and steps I could take to use it more effectively has come through books and-technology […]