Every Story Deserves to Be Heard

Not everyone gets to tell their story. "ME BY ME" is a platform for those who have lived through the system, fought battles in silence, and still carry the weight of incarceration. These are the stories that don’t make the headlines. But they matter.

The talent hidden within those walls is phenomenal—artists, writers, musicians, and creators—voices that deserve to be heard, stories that deserve to be told. "ME BY ME" exists to bring them to light.

"ME BY ME" is an anonymous writing project giving a voice to those affected by the prison system—prisoners, ex-offenders, families, victims, and communities. It started as a way to process thoughts in a cell and has become so much more—a space where untold stories can finally be heard.

These aren’t just stories about prison life. They reveal the journeys that led people there, the struggles they fought long before their sentence, and the hopes of where they want to be. They are the apologies that can never be spoken, the regrets that linger, and the lessons learned too late. They are the voices of those still inside, those who made it out, and those who never had the chance to share their truth.

This is raw, honest, and unfiltered storytelling—because every voice deserves to be heard.

Prison isn’t just time served. It’s isolation, reflection, and survival. Writing gives prisoners a way to be heard, to heal, and to connect with others who understand. Every story has the power to change lives—inside and outside. 

Sarah and Eileen facilitated SMART Recovery meetings at HMP Highpoint. They weren’t just there to tick a box—they cared. Their meetings were a lifeline. They encouraged me to share my story when I didn’t think I had a voice. "ME BY ME" exists because they helped me believe I had something worth saying.  

In the past 12 months, 342 deaths occurred in UK prisons, including 92 suicides, marking a 24% increase from the previous year. Self-harm incidents reached 76,365, exposing the severe mental health crisis, while the prison population continues to hit record highs. I have seen this, I have lived this, and I know the weight it carries. It does not just affect those inside—it impacts families, communities, and society as a whole. 

You can support "ME BY ME" by donating to fund publishing and outreach efforts, fundraising through events or online campaigns, and spreading the word—sharing this project in visits, calls, and letters.

With your support, you're not just helping prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims, and those affected by the justice system—you're helping society as a whole. Every story told, every voice heard, and every second chance given strengthens communities and creates real change. Be part of the solution.