The NYS Library has provided JSTOR with access to rare prison newspapers from its holdings. JSTOR has digitized those newspapers and made them freely available to the public as part of their website.
Since historical prison newspapers can be obscure, so this is a chance to glimpse into this aspect of society. The following titles are now available:
Star of Hope – published by incarcerated individuals since 1899, this official monthly newspaper circulated throughout several New York State Prisons.
The Prison Observer – Now known as Roosevelt Island, Blackwell’s Island was once the site of the New York County Jail. Incarcerated individuals housed there published their own official monthly newspaper.
The Star-Bulletin – Published at Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, this monthly newspaper features color print, poetry, sports, and the arts.
The Summary – Published weekly at the New York State Reformatory in Elmira, this prison newspaper dates back to the 19th century. It includes railroad schedules, local news, and aggregate data on incarcerated individuals.
To search the JSTOR collection, go to: American Prison Newspapers, 1800s-present: Voices from the Inside.
