The Mabel Bassett Balance wins  “Best Debut” Award in national journalism contest

The publication The Mabel Bassett Balance, produced at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, proudly announces that it has been honored with the Best Debut award in the 2025 American Penal Press Contest, a prestigious national journalism competition for prison‑based publications.

Judges expressed admiration for “the positivity and strength of the journalists” in The Mabel Bassett Balance and noted that the depth and breadth of the stories they cover “paint a vivid picture of the community.” The judges also gave kudos to the paper for advocating for reforms and including a Spanish-language article alongside “the stalwarts of a local newspaper – obituaries and opinion.”

The Balance was first published a little over a year ago by a group of incarcerated women when Poetic Justice partnered with the national nonprofit Prison Journalism Project to bring journalism workshops to Eddie Warrior and Mabel Bassett correctional centers. The quarterly newspaper aims to inspire hope and advocacy within its community and stands by three pillars: speak the truth, elevate the community and shift the view.

Melissa Antonucci, a volunteer advisor for The Balance, said, “This national recognition is a testament to the professionalism, hard work and talent of our inside journalists, as well as the impact they’re making in their communities, both inside and outside. They inspire me every day, and I’m proud to work alongside them.”

By giving voice to those inside the facility, the publication aligns with ODOC’s mission of transforming lives for a stronger Oklahoma. All editions of The Balance and The Warrior Standard can be found at poeticjustice.org/prison-journalism.