Dear Donors, Readers, and Friends:

This year, Solitary Watch has a chance to raise up to $20,000 in matching funds through NewsMatch, a collaborative fundraising movement to support independent, public service journalism like ours.

We come to you once a year—and only once—to ask you to support the unique and vital work we do. With your help, over more than a decade, we have exposed the hidden torture that takes place deep within U.S. prisons and jails, where human beings languish in extreme isolation in cells smaller than the average parking space for months, years, and even decades.

We’ve learned that in the long struggle to end solitary confinement, no force is more powerful than accurate information and authentic storytelling—especially when it includes the voices of those who have experienced solitary firsthand. In the past weeks alone, Solitary Watch has published two brilliant pieces by incarcerated writers (one of whom is now a member of our staff), and announced a grant program specifically for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated journalists to write about solitary confinement and other dangerous and inhumane prison conditions.

From November 1 through December 31, NewsMatch will double your one-time gift or match your new monthly donation 12 times.

Your support has always enabled us to carry out our essential work. But this work can only continue with the help of people like you. Your donation now will keep us going strong at this critical time—and double the impact of your generosity.

Thanks to NewsMatch, your donation will be matched, up to $1,000 per donation. If you choose to make your gift recur monthly, every one of your donations will be matched.

We know you will be deciding which of many causes to support this season. We hope you will consider including Solitary Watch.

With gratitude,

Jean Casella
Director, Solitary Watch