AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS PRISON WRITING CONTEST
CALL FOR ENTRIES
DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2026
The African Secretariat of the International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) announces the Call for Entries for the African Human Rights Prison Writing Contest, a continental literary initiative created to spotlight the voices, experiences, and human rights challenges of individuals who have passed through the African correctional system.
This year’s edition opens the door not only to currently incarcerated persons but also to formerly incarcerated individuals who wish to share their personal reflections, testimonies, and human rights experiences during and after imprisonment. The contest seeks to transform lived prison encounters into documented knowledge that can inspire reform, healing, advocacy, and public awareness.
Eligible Participants
Current inmates in any correctional facility across Africa.
Former inmates who have regained their freedom but have stories, insights, and reflections to share regarding incarceration and human rights.
Submission Category
To ensure depth, clarity, and strong human rights engagement, only essays or articles are accepted. Entries may explore:
human rights conditions in prisons
rehabilitation, reintegration, and personal transformation
injustice, dignity, and access to fair treatment
health, education, and welfare in correctional settings
discrimination, vulnerability, and resilience
reform recommendations and personal testimonies
Submission Guidelines
All entries must be original, unpublished, and written by the participant.
Length: 800–1,500 words.
Entries must be typed.
Current inmates must submit through their facility librarian, welfare officer, or designated authority.
Former inmates must include a short bio indicating their facility, country, and year of release.
Each entry must clearly state the writer’s full name, Country, correctional facility (or former facility), country, and contact information.
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be assessed based on:
depth of human rights insight
originality and clarity of thought
relevance to lived prison realities
storytelling strength and analytical depth
adherence to the word limit and category
PRIZES TO BE WON:
• First Prize - $100
• Second Prize - $75
• Third Prize - $50
• Five honorable mentions
Deadline
All entries must be submitted on or before May 31, 2026.
Submission Address
Designated officers and individuals should send entries to:
African Secretariat, International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM)
Email: wole@humanrightsartmovement.org and copy ihrafafrica@humanrightsartmovement.org
Enquiries
For additional information or clarification, contact the Contest Coordinator via:
oluwoleadedoyinonline@gmail.com
Give voice to silence.
Illuminate the unseen.
Submit your prison writing entry today!
The International Human Rights Art Festival has been featured in the New York Times, Fox Five Morning Show, NBC Live!, NY Observer, Crain’s NY Business, Metro-NY, AM-NY, Gay City News, Brooklyn Rail, and many others; we have been banned by the Catholic Church, lionized by politicians and government workers and have presented more than 1000 artists from 103 countries in our half-decade of existence!
What they’re saying about us…
A meeting place for arts, human rights and the government. This is a new kind of coming together.
Dr Sarah Sayeed, Senior Advisor in the NYC Community Affairs Unit, specializing in Muslim outreach
IHRAF is one of the only festivals of its kind. The world urgently needs artists who are creating work about human rights - especially at this point in our divisive times.
Christina Evans, Performance Artist, California
The reaction of enthusiasm from the audience showed us that IHRAF was more than just a festival to perform at--it was a platform for artistic exchange on how to use the arts to challenge the world. Love the work IHRAF does!
Shilpa Darivemula, Aseemkala Initiative
I have so much gratitude to be welcomed under the diverse & inclusive umbrella that is IHRAF. It is a gift to receive support from an organization that truly understands the role of art and it's intimate connection to activism, as a vital component to the sustainability and positive growth of our world.
Mara Rosenbloom, pianist, improviser, composer, educator
This is truly a festival for everyone and I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to perform at the IHRAF. Tom is a real thought leader who has a clear vision of the role of the arts in the current world. The festival was also a great place to connect with other passionate artists and become inspired.
Sora Baek, Playwright/Performer
Of many festivals in NYC, this one aligned perfectly with my own values and the values that are inherent in my show. A great organization, very accommodating and supportive of the performer. They had a real plan for marketing that assured a good house. Start to finish, I couldn't have been more pleased with my IHRAF experience.
Mark Lanham, Playwright/Performer
In my view, IHRAF is one of the most powerful movements of the 21st century, and it is here to stay. IHRAF has revolutionized human rights through the use of arts.
Wole Adedoyin, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat
The International Human Rights Art Festival is doing an amazing work by empowering creative writers and providing them with the tools, resources and support they need to create lasting change. By fostering a community of artists and activists united in their pursuit of social justice, IHRAF has established itself as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change, harnessing the transformative power of art to make the world a better place.
Stanley Umezulike, Nigeria
The International Human Rights Art Festival is the platform of possibilities and eternal optimism. It is IHRAF founder Tom Block’s brave vision that gives these new, emerging and established writers and artists an opportunity to stand up for what they believe in through their art and writing. His initiatives and projects encourage, invite and spur change to happen. Without doubt, thanks to Tom Block’s unwavering support for human rights and the arts.
Kelly Kaur, Singapore/Canada