A Heartwarming Story Behind the Write Michigan Short Story Contest

By Suvi Manner
Librarian, Kinross Correctional Facility (KCF)

This year the Write Michigan Short Story Contest received entries from incarcerated authors at the Kinross Correctional Facility who are members of the Library’s Writing Club.

As a brand-new Correctional Librarian, I was amazed at the insightful comments made by members of my first book club behind bars. At some point, the discussion turned to an interest in a writing club. Kinross Correctional Facility (KCF) Writing Club started as a request inspired by some of these book club members and a “Kite” (written communication method inside a facility with staff) received from a published author, Curtis Dawkins, housed at KCF offering to facilitate such a club. I invited this small group for a meeting, and we worked together to come up with activities and a format.

In our first meeting, we asked attendees to share what they were looking for in this type of club. Most of the respondents simply stated that they wanted to become better writers and grow and gain confidence as authors. Some wanted information on what to do to get published and how to submit to contests. Many had specific requests on resources, tips, skills and techniques for different types of writing such as poetry, screenwriting and short stories.

We started by utilizing PEN America’s free book to incarcerated individuals, The Sentences that Create Us: Crafting a Writer’s Life in Prison edited by Caits Meissner. After several meetings, we created a Mission Statement: “A writing club designed to explore different writing styles in a supportive growth-stimulating atmosphere. Established for the purpose of promoting successful communication and personal expression through writing.”

I reached out to the Director of the University of Michigan’s Prison Creative Arts Project who had just written a grant to do summer writing workshops in facilities further away from the school. Ms. Krinitsky enthusiastically replied to my request to partner, travel and bring volunteers to the UP to do workshops. They also donated new copies of writing instruction books: Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg and A Poetry Handbook by Mary Oliver.

Members of the Writing Club and a few others wrote letters to nominate the Kinross Correctional Facility Library for the 2024 Michigan State Librarian’s Award. Their letters impressed the selection committee and KCF Library was chosen and recognized at the Michigan Library Association 2024 Conference! A few quotes from the letters are below:

“Not only implementing programs with outside volunteers, clubs, activities and incentives to read and write, but recruiting the untapped potential of the prison population: There are many educated, experienced and driven people in prison who desire to effectuate change. Often, they’re never provided an opportunity to use their gifts. The KCF Library has changed that. It has facilitated maturation and rehabilitation through education and fellowship using what’s already available – the community.”

“And finally, I would like to tell you about our staff. Our library is run by one librarian staff member and several inmate clerks… She is passionate about books, education and of course writing, but what I feel is most important to note is that she treats us like human beings rather than disgraced beings, all the while maintaining a level of professionalism required for her job.”

“The biggest improvement has come from the formation of two clubs: 1) Book Club, and 2) Writing Club. There is pride in education here one normally finds in an academic setting, and we all know how important education is to staying out of prison… it rivals a college library.”

“When we engage inmates in constructive activities, these programs help instill a sense of purpose and provide the skills necessary for successful reintegration into society. By investing in their transformation through education and positive resources, we can empower them to become productive members of society.”

“I have joined the new Writing Club, and I would never have started writing otherwise. It provides me with the motivation to continue writing.”