This interactive magazine designed for people in prison features contributions from the incarcerated readers themselves, supported by alumni who’ve successfully returned to their communities, and SL staff. Each issue explores a character strength from the field of positive psychology, paralleling the research-informed perspectives, tools, and skills developed through our programs. Subscribing is free and offers individuals in prison a critical sense of belonging to a prosocial community and an opportunity to practice constructive citizenship throughout their incarceration..

  • Created with and for readers who are incarcerated

  • New issues every 10-12 weeks

  • 28 pages of encouragement, information, and activities to promote individual well-being

  • Built-in prompts generate meaningful interactions among peers and loved ones

  • Widely distributed through print and tablets, at no cost to readers

Cover Art by Mike Williams (PA)

About 75,000 unique learners per month have FREE digital access to The Loop
on electronic tablets through a partnership with Edovo.

PLUS

Why Does Subscribing to The Loop Matter? 

We know that many of the +2 million people in our country’s prisons and jails want to break from the negativity of their environment and use their time in a constructive way. Some are already finding a way to do this; others have a desire but lack the tools or social support. Either way, subscribing to The Loop is a way for individuals to identify with a positive community and belong to something bigger than themselves. It’s so much more than a free magazine.

Subscribers receive:

  • An uplifting piece of mail with their name on it, 5 times a year

  • A “Welcome Packet” that outlines our community values, opportunities to engage, and ways to stay connected during and after their incarceration. 

  • Invitations to participate in our creative writing mentorship program, the Writer’s CoLab

When each issue of The Loop is published, our facility partners (champions) ensure that subscribers receive their copy and distribute “bulk” copies throughout the facility. Subscribers are encouraged to promote among their peers; fliers and sign-up sheets are available for champions. Our goal is that every individual incarcerated in the US has access to The Loop if they want it.

To increase the self-sustaining benefits of The Loop, we encourage partnering facilities to establish peer-led “Loop Groups” where readers can engage in the content together in ways that suit them and the culture of the facility. Here are some examples from state prisons in Ohio:

  • Grafton CI - they host quarterly “Blank Canvas Presentations” where Loop Group participants share artistic expressions originating from creative prompts and discussion questions found in The Loop. These events are open to the general population as a way to inform others about The Loop and encourage them to subscribe. 

  • London CI - Residents of the Horizon Prison Initiative, a specialized unit at London CI, combined content from The Loop with additional creative writing tools and Shining Light’s “Learn Your Strengths” curriculum (introduced in the SL Academy, available on tablets) to curate a 12-week curriculum that would fit the standards of the program. 

  • Belmont CI - As a host of the SL Academy, graduates of the Academy can become Loop Group  facilitators. This enables the facility to safely engage a higher number of the 400+ subscribers, and provides opportunities for program graduates to continue living out the tools and skills in real time.

What people are saying about The Loop…

  • "I never really felt connected to much good… 21 years in and out of the system, I finally found writing to be a conduit in my expressions to others and a therapeutic element to my esteem. Thank you for publishing my drawing - it gave me the courage to continue with my head held high."

    Felix / Subscriber / Yakima Co. Jail, WA

  • "I’m so grateful to have this during the hardest time of my life."

    Nyia / Subscriber/ SCI Muncy, PA

  • "I read every month’s newsletter from beginning to end. I was overwhelmed with a feeling of hope & I found out something about myself I never knew. I can be better than I ever was before & I can do what I never thought possible. I can change. I’m not worthless. I’m not a lost cause. I’m somebody & I finally have the courage & determination & the vision to actually go be it. The people’s stories and their triumphs were inspiring."

    Leon / Subscriber / OH