Two ODOC prison publications named finalists for national journalism award
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections proudly announces that The Warrior Standard and The Mabel Bassett Balance have been nominated as 2025 Stillwater Award recipients in the New Prison Publication category.
The Stillwater Awards, now in their second year, are presented by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Prison Journalism Project to recognize outstanding journalism created within the incarcerated community. Finalists are selected from across the country, and placements for each category – first, second, and third – will be revealed during a live virtual ceremony.
“This nomination is a tremendous honor for the writers, editors and staff who dedicate their time and talent to these publications,” said Nicole Flemming, chief of Offender Advocacy. “It’s a powerful reminder that storytelling can inspire change, even from behind the walls of a correctional facility.”
The Warrior Standard is produced at Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, Okla., while The Mabel Bassett Balance originates from Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in McLoud, Okla. Both publications emerged from an 11-week journalism workshop initiated in June 2024 through a partnership between Poetic Justice and the national nonprofit Prison Journalism Project. This initiative provided participants with training and support to create community newspapers within their facilities.
The 2025 Stillwater Awards virtual ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8. Family members, supporters and the public are invited to attend via Zoom. For more information and to register to attend the award ceremony, visit https://www.spj.org/stillwater-awards-2024-winners/.
To view all editions of the EWCC and MBCC newspapers, visit https://www.poeticjustice.org/prison-journalism.
