Program Goals
Our main purpose is to provide EJP students with opportunities to learn about and practice writing-related topics as they connect to academic, creative, and everyday purposes. Some of these workshops complement the upper-level courses students enroll in throughout the academic year, while some address theories of writing and language that expand ideas of what writing can be. Other workshops aid students in composing and workshopping pieces of fiction, memoir, or screenwriting that they’re already working on. Whether it’s a one-day or multiple-session event, it’s our goal that this programming will help students gain further confidence in the foundational skills of writing, be more familiar with diverse genres and disciplines of writing and have a better understanding of the work writing can do—in university settings and beyond.
Writing Workshops is accepting applications to offer workshops in Fall 2025 and Spring 2025. Workshops can be offered on weekday mornings (between 8 and 11:30) and weekday afternoons (between 12:30 - 4:30).
Workshops are conducted in person. Please note that EJP students do not have access to the internet for educational purposes.
How You Can Participate
There are two ways of participating in EJP's Writing Workshop program:
-offer a one-time workshop on a writing topic of your choice. One-time workshop facilitators are considered "guest speakers" and do not become official EJP members, although they are welcome at almost all EJP events and activities;
-offer a multi-part workshop series on a writing topic of your choice. Multi-part workshop faciltators are considered regular EJP members and are responsible for fulfiling all member responsibiities, e.g. reading the EJP handbook each year. Members also work alongside the STEM workshop program co-coordinators and EJP students at Danville in setting the direction of the program, creating program goals, and program assessment.
One-time workshop facilitators are welcome to apply for EJP membership if they intend to meet membership requirements.
Whether you decide to offer a workshop that meets only once or multiple times, you are responsible for determing the content and scope of your workshop and selecting the instructional materials you wish to use. EJP will provide them to the students free of charge.
Minimum Requirements for Writing Workshop Members are:
● passing the background security check and IDOC (Illinois Dept of Corrections) security clearance requirements. Typically, applicants to EJP do not gain clearance to enter the prison until at least 2 months after they apply. This is due to IDOC’s clearance process and something EJP has no control over, unfortunately.
● a schedule that allows enough time to facilitate on-site writing workshops and engage with EJP—This includes attending orientations, critical conversation meetings, and DCC trainings. Optional but highly encouraged are the EJP Convocation and various community-wide events on the Urbana campus.
● a commitment to social justice.
EJP's Values
Applicants should be aware that EJP approaches this work from a prison-abolitionist ethic, which informs the pedagogical and organizational values that structure EJP, as well as Writing Workshops. Regardless, we invite applicants who have varied perspectives on the prison system and the role of education and hope that this work will challenge and inspire you, and that your contributions will refine and develop EJP.
Applying
All applications are welcome. Because EJP aims to create a supportive learning environment for our incarcerated students, we especially encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds align with those of our students. This includes members of racial minority groups, first-generation degree holders, and individuals from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. Please note that the educational offices are on the second floor of the prison and that there is no elevator.
According to Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) policy, if you are formerly incarcerated within Illinois or are actively visiting a friend or family who is incarcerated in IDOC, it is unlikely you will be able to receive IDOC clearance. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control.
To apply to the Writing Workshops program, please start by completing this application. The deadline for submitting your application is December 15, 2024 at 5:00. Please contact Kelli McQueen at writingworkshops@educationjustice.net if you have any questions. Thank you for your interest!