This essay is an edition of Redemption Songs, a limited-run newsletter from @themarshallproject.org and @mauricechammah.bsky.social that dives into the music produced in prisons over the last century. We’ve republished it at @thebarbedwire.com 🎶 thebarbedwire.com/2026/04/14/t...

In the 1930s, Hattie Ellis was so beloved for her singing on a prison radio show that the Texas governor pardoned her. But then she vanished. @mauricechammah.bsky.social shares what we know about her mysterious career:

Wrote about Hattie Ellis, an incredible blues singer who should be in the canon with Ella, Billie, Buddy, Leadbelly and others. Many thanks to @texasmonthly.bsky.social + Skip Hollandsworth + Caroline Gnagy for unearthing this history. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/04/12/h...

I've been making a list of every rapper who put out verses over a jail or prison phone. In this story on Mac Dre I mention Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Drakeo the Ruler, X-Raided. There's also C-Murder, Outkast, Wu-Tang Clan, Capone-N-Noreaga. Who else? www.themarshallproject.org/2026/04/05/m...

James Broadnax's jury used his own rap lyrics to give him the death penalty. He's scheduled for execution April 30. Killer Mike, T.I. and other rappers are asking the Supreme Court to stop it. And on top of that... someone else confessed to the crime. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/03/28/t...

B. Alexis is the 1st woman to release an rap album from prison. We're not revealing her name due to fears of retaliation. Read more about her at @themarshallproject.org + sign up for a weekly song in our email newsletter: Redemption Songs www.themarshallproject.org/2026/03/22/r...

Have we been wrong about #PSYCHOPATHS? In new book, scholar Rasmus Rosenberg Larsen questions how courts and prisons use psychopathy diagnoses — and whether they should at all. Via @mauricechammah.bsky.social at @themarshallproject.org #ForensicPsychology www.themarshallproject.org/2025/06/16/b...

This is so cool. @mauricechammah.bsky.social found a trove of Texas prison music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s and digitized it with the @themarshallproject.org www.themarshallproject.org/2026/03/10/p...

Read this fine article about Texas prison bands then sign up for @mauricechammah.bsky.social's limited run newsletter on the topic. www.themarshallproject.org/2026/03/10/p...