Hi Prison Journalism Project!
Thanks for the awesome compliments on my First Amend This! newsletter.
To answer your questions:
Of my audience, I am certain the online version (@bookofirving82431.com) is shared between members of the Idaho Inmate Family Support Group on Facebook, which, last I was told had around 500 members. I am also aware that recent members of this group have been reporting to its admin that they were referred by my website. Which leads me to believe that some of my audience is wandering in from search engines.
Others stop in after receiving letters. In the last three years I’ve handwritten roughly 3,000 — mostly to media, lawmakers and advocates — each with a request to view my materials and share them with their networks however they see fit.
Per our online stats reports, readers are coming from just about everywhere. The numbers aren’t huge but they’re consistent and they’re growing.
Only last month was I able to send out a few dozen physical copies of the newsletter. I targeted alternative libraries, peace and justice projects, independent media folks, a few mom and pop shops and small mix of organizers found in Slingshot’s (Berkeley) database.
As for my prison audience, right now it’s very limited — to the extent that I really only share with my neighbors. Because my efforts have yet to be acknowledged by IDOC admin, I’m hesitant to establish a presence in our facilities and I fear of being labeled as a security threat or worse.
Regarding my experience: I’m a self-educating/entertaining polymath. I have some college education but nothing more than core credits. My experience with journalism runs as deep as the newsletter. I study where I can but could use much more instruction.
I’ve written most everything you’ll find within each issue — with the exception of a few policies, DOC notices and the occasional staff article. Anything not written by me is either given a byline or presented in way that it’s obvious to all. Though I would love to accept articles from other Idaho prisoners, I worry that by doing so I would make us all a target.
Regarding the article “Keefe Confounds ‘Em With Tactical Math,” I am able to confirm that I, as the author, would be delighted to see it published among work you’ve selected from others. Please tell me what you need and I’ll be sure to get it to you.
If there’s anything else I can help with, please let me know. I really dig your project.
Thanks for all you do.
In friendship and incarceration,
Patrick Irving 82431
IMSI
PO Box 51
Boise, ID 83707
bookofirving82431.com