Writers in Prison

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN was set up in 1960 as a result of mounting concern about attempts to silence critical voices around the world and an office of volunteers was set up at the PEN head office in London to gather information and to alert the PEN membership to take action. The WiPC is now staffed by a team of experts who monitor around 1,000 attacks on writers, journalists, editors, poets, publishers and others in any given year. These include long prison terms, harassment, threats, and even murder.

The WiPC team alerts the PEN membership of urgent cases keeps it abreast of developments on individual cases of attacks as well as global trends affecting free expression and gives advice on actions and campaigns. These include protest letters, lobbying governments, and public awareness raising. Through writing to families, and, where possible, directly to prisoners, PEN members provide encouragement and hope.

For the WiPC action alerts click here

Today there are Writers in Prison Committees in 64 PEN Centres worldwide.

An innocent person suffers in prison feelings of isolation, loneliness, and loss. The knowledge that you defended me against unjust accusations against me brought me joy and strengthened my will to come to terms with the harsh conditions of my imprisonment.
Czech writer, Eva Kanturkova 1982

Chair

The Writers in Prison Committee has been chaired by Karin Clark since 2004. Read more about Karin Clark.