Dear Supporters, Readers, and Friends:

Just ten days remain in our year-end fundraising effort. We come to you only once a year to ask for your support—and that support has never been more important than it is today. 

Right now, we have the opportunity to receive $20,000 in Matching Funds from NewsMatch, but only if we succeed in raising $20,000 in donations by December 31. As of today, we’re behind schedule in progress toward achieving that goal.

Solitary Watch alone is dedicated to shining a light into the darkest corners of the criminal punishment system, harnessing the power of journalism to end the torture that takes place there. Donor support is an absolutely critical part of our lean budget, and crucial to our ability to carry out our ambitious plans for 2024:

• Continuing the most comprehensive and in-depth coverage available of solitary confinement with award-winning investigative journalism; 
• Expanding our support of incarcerated journalists through the Ridgeway Reporting Project, under the leadership of our new Editor-in-Chief;
• Publishing work in collaboration with major progressive media outlets to reach a wide audience;
• Adding dozens of firsthand accounts of the lived experience of people in solitary confinement, through our Voices from Solitary series;
• Releasing groundbreaking reports and facts sheets that are vital tools to advocates and policymakers; and
• Reaching out to hundreds of people in solitary confinement through our Lifelines to Solitary project, with cards (see below), letters, and a special pen pal program. 

All of this work is made possible by your support. Before you depart for holiday travels or take a much-needed respite from email, will you please consider making a gift to Solitary Watch in whatever amount you can?

Giving now means your donation will be doubled by NewsMatch, giving it twice the impact. If you choose to make a monthly recurring gift, every one of your 12 donations will be matched throughout the year. This means that Just $5 a month equals $120, and $25/month will add up to $600!

Your generosity means so much to us—thank you for your support!

With gratitude and warm wishes for the holidays,

Jean Casella, Director
and all of our dedicated team:

Juan Moreno Haines, Editor-in-Chief
Katie Rose Quandt, Senior Writer and Editor
Valerie Kiebala, Managing Editor
Sara Vogel, Editorial and Project Associate
Allie Rivera, Project Associate
Marlies Talay, Lifelines to Solitary Project Coordinator

“Solitary Watch wishes you peace, strength, and hope, in this holiday season and throughout the new year.”

2023 Solitary Watch holiday card, sent to thousands of people in solitary confinement. Art: “You’re Never Alone” by J.L.C., incarcerated in Louisiana.