Maine State Prison, Putting the ‘Try’ in Poetry
Friday, August 28th, 2026, marked the final class of our first poetry and creative writing program at Maine State Prison, and I can honestly say that it was a tremendous success.
When this program first started, there was restlessness behind whether MSP residents would participate, engage, and find something meaningful in the experience. What happened went beyond what we could have hoped for. We saw roughly a 90% participation rate throughout the program, with nearly everyone who began the class actively contributing – and seeing it through to the end.
Of course, there were a couple of changes along the way. One participant went home, and another was transferred to a different facility. But everyone who remained involved contributed to the class in some way. Whether through writing, discussion, reflection, or simply being willing to share their perspective. Every participant brought something valuable to the room.
That participation is important because this class was about much more than learning how to write poetry or creative nonfiction. It was about giving people an opportunity to think differently, express themselves, listen to others, and recognize that their voices still have value.
The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. People genuinely looked forward to Fridays. The class became something to work toward during the week. It felt very much like a place where residents could step away from the routine of prison life for a couple of hours and focus on creativity, reflection, and personal growth.
Our facilitator, Sara, deserves enormous credit for creating an environment where people felt comfortable participating in and sharing their work. Her patience, experience, knowledge, and willingness to meet people where they were made a tremendous difference. I am very happy to say that Sara would like to return for a second-round next summer, and the residents are already looking forward to having her back.
For me personally, watching this program develop from an idea into something real has been incredibly rewarding. When I first heard the possibility of bringing more educational programming back into MSP, I knew it was something I would take part in. Upon learning about Society Impact and hearing this was their joint effort, I decided that I would take part in it and lend my support. What I couldn't fully appreciate at the time was just how much the residents would embrace it.
This experience reinforced something I strongly believe; when you give people an opportunity, provide the right environment, and show them that their voices matter, they will often rise to the occasion. The success of this first class gives us something to build on. We now know there is an appetite for this type of programming inside the prison. We know residents will participate. We know they value the opportunity. And we know that education, creativity, and human connection can make a real difference, even behind these walls.
I know this is only the beginning.
Thank you to Sara, Society Impact, Frank, Ben, Gordon, MDOC, and everyone else who helped make this program possible. Most importantly, thank you to all the residents who showed up, participated, shared their work, and helped make the class what it became.
What Society Impact started as an idea ended with a community of incarcerated writers. And next summer, hopefully, we get to do it all over again – with greater numbers.
F. , who is is currently incarcerated at Maine State Prison, was a participant in this year's poetry class series at MSP. Selected works produced by him and other participants can be read here.
Comments