Inmate Publications at State Institutions

At the end of the nineteenth century, inmates at the Minnesota State Prison in Stillwater began publishing a newsletter written and edited by fellow prisoners. For the first time in US history, inmates at a state institution created a regular periodical that was fully their own at every level of production. They used it to discuss news, share their literary and artistic works, and organize for institutional change. Called the Prison Mirror, the newsletter served as a model for similar publications produced by inmates at nearly all of Minnesota’s state hospitals, correctional facilities, and state schools.

Cover of the Prison Mirror

Cover of the Prison Mirror

The cover of the February 2010 issue of the Prison Mirror, the longest-running prisoners’ publication in the United States. Available on microfilm at the Minnesota Historical Society library as “Stillwater. PRISON MIRROR.”

Image for the hundred-year-anniversary edition of the Prison Mirror

Image for the hundred-year-anniversary edition of the Prison Mirror

An image celebrating one hundred years of the Prison Mirror, the longest-running prisoners’ publication in the United States, published in the August 1987 issue. Available on microfilm at the Minnesota Historical Society library as “Stillwater. PRISON MIRROR.”

Image for the hundred-year-anniversary edition of the Prison Mirror

Image for the hundred-year-anniversary edition of the Prison Mirror

An image celebrating one hundred years of the Prison Mirror, the longest-running prisoners’ publication in the United States, published in the August 1987 issue. Available on microfilm at the Minnesota Historical Society library as “Stillwater. PRISON MIRROR.”

Poem published in Winged’ition

Poem published in Winged’ition

A poem written by Mark Hoover and published in a 1971 issue of Winged’ition, a publication made by inmates at the Minnesota Training School for Boys in Red Wing. Minnesota State Training School for Boys published records, 1919–1999 (box 111.K.11.2F). State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Cover art for the Coverall

Cover art for the Coverall

Cover art for the June 1951 issue of Faribault State Hospital’s inmate publication, the Coverall, depicting a cowboy with a horse. Faribault State School and Hospital publications, 1950–1977 (box 119.C.4.2F). State Archives, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul.

Poem in the Reflector

Poem in the Reflector

A poem published in the first edition of the Reflector, in 1935. Available at the Minnesota Historical Society library as HV 9305 .M62S5 .R3 v.1-3 in FOLIO.

Cover of the Reflector

Cover of the first issue of the Reflector, produced by the inmates of the Women’s State Reformatory in Shakopee in 1935. Available at the Minnesota Historical Society library as HV 9305 .M62S5 .R3 v.1-3 in FOLIO.

Cover of the Reformatory Pillar

Cover of the Reformatory Pillar

Cover art for a special State Fair-themed edition (date unknown) of the Reformatory Pillar, produced by inmates at St. Cloud’s Minnesota State Reformatory. Available at the Minnesota Historical Society library as FOLIO HV9305.M62 S2 and HV9305.M62 S27.

Judge Philip Neville

Judge Philip Neville

Judge Philip Neville, ca. 1974. Published in “Judge Neville Dies of Blood Disease at 64,” Minneapolis Tribune, February 15, 1974.

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