Here we are December 2025 and my 31st year of incarceration. Had you asked me when I began my sentence how I’d feel come the year 2025, I might have passed out. Just the thought I could still be incarcerated 31 years later might have sent me seeking a high ledge.
Yet, here I am. You want to know something? I feel optimism and gratitude in this moment. I am grateful because time sanded away all the rough edges of my ignorance and immaturity, leaving a man with direction, understanding, and purpose. My time on the inside has opened my eyes.
I know many of you know this about me having followed my journey for years. I am grateful to all of you, knowing that my life is worthy of interest and inquiry. Because of you I thrive and find meaning and purpose.
To the many new readers who have discovered me, thank you for taking time out of your lives to follow mine and those of other writers here.
2025 has been an amazing year. The universe reflects back upon us that which we send out into it, and I want to share a little with you that has come back to me.
In May and for the third time in as many years, I spoke in front of hundreds of people at Harmony’s annual Sunflower Arts and Music Festival held at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. The festival brings together three prisons — two men’s, one women’s — for a day long event celebrating our shared humanity and common bond. On YouTube visit the channel: HarmonyProjectOnline. There you will find the incarcerated men and women of Harmony, along with the amazing people of Harmony and supporters (free world and within Ohio Corrections). You will also see me in several videos!
The Harmony Project visits my prison once a week and for an hour we sing and share in community. For that hour I literally forget that I am in prison. Harmony’s volunteers are heaven sent and although Harmony is nondenominational I can’t help but think of these words from the Bible:
“Be sure to welcome strangers, for in so doing you may have welcomed Angels unaware.”
If there are Angels among us, I know who some of them are.
This summer I was accepted into Kindway Embark’s highly coveted and respected faith based reentry program (Google: Kindway Embark of Columbus, Ohio). We meet twice a week for fellowship and discipleship. Kindway Embark’s volunteers are amazing, caring human beings that I am grateful are a key part of my life. I look forward to coming back into Ohio’s prisons with Kindway Embark someday as a volunteer. I want to spread the same hope to Ohio’s incarcerated men and women that I receive when these volunteers are here. If you are with Kindway Embark thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My voice continues to thrive and as a writer 2025 was a good year. I saw my work in numerous publications most notable Prison Journalism Project; Inside; Exchange; and publications at Columbia and Cornell universities.
My personal mission to draw awareness to incarceration borne PTSD (ibPTSD) continues to gain traction with new contacts in academia and nonprofits; and I discovered and joined an amazing writers group consisting of some of the most accomplished incarcerated writers in the country. It’s no secret I live to write and write to live.
I have only begun. Upon release I shall go from incarcerated writer to founder and editor of my own organization dedicated to magnifying the journalism, writings, and lives of America’s marginalized incarcerated people. Nobody knows the hidden truths of incarceration — and can shed light on them, for we have lived it first hand — better than current and formerly incarcerated people.
Most importantly an organization founded and staffed by formerly incarcerated people know the Unknowables that free world editors can only dream of knowing. Everyone else is on the outside of the birdcage looking in.
When I read the works of history’s most notable incarcerated people, such as Oscar Wilde or Nelson Mandela to name a couple, I feel a shared bond and understanding for our experience transcends distance and time. I truly know and that is why every incarcerated writer has ever put pen to paper.
I am happy to announce the publication of my newest book, “Reflections From Behind the Wall” (ISBN 979-8262373062). It is now available on Amazon. It contains hundreds of selected essays and posts from May 01, 2021 thru September 2025 written by myself and men and women incarcerated across the country. My first book, “Behind the Wall: A Prisoner’s Journal” (ISBN 9798514441983) is also available on Amazon, first published in 2021. Both books are priced very low so readers may be able to afford more than one copy. Please share them with others and thank you in advance for your support. I am grateful.
I guess you can say I’m feeling empowered. My time on the inside has challenged me to be the best version of self I can be. I begin each day with my head held high and each night I rest knowing that I have lived.
There’s meaning and purpose in all that we do, but only if we choose to allow it to be. No one can take that from us.
Christopher
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Christopher Monihan is a writer, journalist, and Stillwater award recipient. He is incarcerated in Ohio.
Category: International
Don’t Call Us Inmates
*A version of this essay first appeared in Prisoner Express, a Cornell University Durland Alternatives Library publication
In my quest to draw awareness to the plight of the oppressed and enslaved within America’s Prison Industrial Complex, my writings bring me into contact with other like minds. I am empowered when these are fellow incarcerated people like myself.
We are part of an exclusive cadre for better or for worse — today, tomorrow, and forever — that we didn’t choose but I long ago embraced. We share a collective bond borne from adversity forged through time, that transcends race, creed and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are incarcerated people and formerly incarcerated people.
We are unbreakable.
Incarcerated people return to society shunned and labeled “convict” “ex convict” “inmate” words meant to subjugate a class of people to societal margins. We have thrived despite purgatory existence, endured corruption and bore witness to their crimes and survived it all. Words will never hurt us.
Like others in my cadre my days are regimented, by choice, of course, and not due to any edict or arbitrary rule. No act of verbal or physical assault has conquest over me for I am forged from 31 years on the inside.
Take heed for I am on a mission to lift us, humanize us and empower us. I didn’t ask for this but I will rise to it.
All around me oppression abounds. How is it that a father or a mother should be forced to slave daily earning pennies an hour working a prison job? I stand witness to the mental distress etched across faces young and old. It is cruel and unusual punishment.
What you may not know is that this is by design for the 13th Amendment permits it:
“Neither punishment nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
And we lecture other nations on equality and basic human rights?
Nationally incarcerated people average 14 cents hourly earnings working a prison job. Here on Ohio a tube of toothpaste costs $3.17 in prison commissary. This is the equivalent of 22.6 hours of prison earned wages for Ohio’s incarcerated people average $20.00 a month working 36 hour work weeks. A pair of socks from one of Ohio’s sole source vendors costs $1.95 which is the equivalent of 14 hours of monthly wages; basic bra $9.95 or 71 hours of earnings; and a box of tampons runs $7.95 or nearly 57 hours of monthly wages.
Put another way, this would be the equivalent of a free world citizen working 165 hours to afford four basic items. Would you tolerate this? Yet, somehow it is acceptable that incarcerated people nationwide endure this burden.
How is it okay that the poorest families are disproportionately burdened with financially supporting an incarcerated mother or father, daughter or son?
Families of incarcerated people are systemically preyed upon by monopolistic companies such as JPay, Securus, GTL, and CorrLinks to name a few. It is here in America’s jails and prisons where an email can cost 50 cents, a local phone call $18.00, and a 15 minute Skype style video “visit” $15.00.
Every incarcerated person and their loved ones know these truths for we live beneath this yoke everyday.
I empower incarcerated men and women and draw awareness to life on the inside. This blog is one place where our voices are heard. My journalism is another place, and I engage with local, state and national organizations where restored citizens are helping one another while fostering awareness in the public discourse.
I educate and never pontificate. I fight for those who don’t have the strengths that I do or who have surrendered behind these walls and can no longer live.
I am Christopher Monihan or Mr. Monihan to the thousands of incarcerated people and restores citizens that know me. I hail from the state of Ohio but not by choice.
Those who follow my writings already know these truths. For those who are new, I am grateful to meet you.
Christopher
Will America’s Next President Abandon Ukraine? by Christopher
An open letter to the people of Ukraine.
I am an American living in the United States. As I write Americans are going to the polls to elect a new president. If you ask everyday Americans how important this election is many will tell you it is very important, but not for the reasons Ukrainians might think.
Continue reading “Will America’s Next President Abandon Ukraine? by Christopher”
I have an opinion by Christopher
It feels like just yesterday I was writing about the coming presidential election. It was Donald J. Trump vs Biden. I don’t think that panned out too well for Trump, and honestly I’m not sure how I feel about that.
We’ve had four years of Biden and Harris, and in my humble opinion, the world has gone to hell in that time frame. I’ve listened to a number of arguments as to why the world is in the state of affairs that it is. The running theme in nearly all of them blames Trump and his policies and executive decisions during his term as POTUS 45. Part of me can see these points of view. However, I digress.
I can’t help but notice that the very same people making these arguments are the same individuals who claimed Obama was coming for their guns or that he would declare martial law to stay in power; that the Clintons were in the pocket of the Chinese; and that Biden is an upstanding guy never mind his feckless domestic and foreign policies (read: free for all open border; wars in Ukraine and the Middle East).
I’d like to dig a little deeper. I don’t imagine the Ukrainians think Biden is a swell guy. Biden has steadfastly refused to grant Ukraine permission to utilize long range capabilities of donated American weaponry in their struggle against Russia. They fight with one hand tied behind their backs.
As Biden dithers Ukrainians die and critical front line Ukrainian cities and towns are pulverized and fall to the Russians.
Don’t tell Patty Morin or the family of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley or the parents of 2 year old Jeremy Poou Caceres, or the many other American families whose loved ones have been brutally raped or murdered by illegal immigrants that Biden is a swell guy. You might get punched.
What about Obama? Obama wasn’t such a bad guy after all. He didn’t take your guns; didn’t declare martial law; didn’t shred the constitution; and he was heaven sent for ammunition and gun manufacturers with how white America freaked out. Now that I think about it, Obama pulled off the greatest energy caper of the 21st century by doing what no republican president before him could: He got legislation passed allowing domestic oil producers to export to the world.
Obama singlehandedly immortalized the fracking boom. While environmentalist were throwing themselves face first beneath iron treads of bulldozers and chaining themselves to trees to stop the Keystone Pipeline, Obama pulled off the equivalent of 10,000 Keystone pipelines. Environmentalists are still asking themselves, What just happened?
For all of Barack Hussein Obama’s radical Islamic ties (remember that one?), he did what no president has done since him. He worked in good faith on bipartisan issues and actually got something passed across the aisle. Oh, never mind that republicans sold their souls for that one — but that’s how democracy works. Republicans can regroup in the afterlife so no worries.
Then there’s Trump, POTUS 45, Man of All Democratic Ire. No matter what you think of him, he did what no president has down since Ronald Reagan: He kept his promises no matter how insane. Sure, he tried to strong arm Mexico into paying for the border wall; and yeah, he blew down on NATO like a mafia boss saying pay up or be thrown to the wolves (read: Russia); and told China to go to hell before going nuts with tariffs. (I’d like to point out a little tidbit here. Despite the left’s hysterics and the media’s dozens of infallible economists, the Biden administration has kept most of the China tariffs on). Hmm. 🤔
Maybe Trump’s is a misogynistic racist and a habitual liar I’ll meet you there, but that doesn’t negate the fact that as POTUS 45 dictators the world over were on their best behavior. Why? As we like to say in prison, Trump is “that guy” the one who will put a missile up your ass and then berate you for making him do it. Except in prison we don’t have missiles.
A funy thing happened recently, I was napping and I could’ve sworn I woke to déjà vu Trump vs Biden all over again. Wait, what? I did? Until I didn’t?
All the talk of stolen elections and criminal trials makes my head hurt. It seems to me Trump hasn’t been paying attention for the past 8 Years. He simply needs to observe what the leftist democrats are doing and then copy them. When he trounced Biden in the first debate and polls swung wild like the needle of a Geiger counter, what did leftist dems do? They wailed and gnashed teeth before wiping away their tears to come up with a very Trumpian plan: throw Biden to the curb, trash the votes of 14 million Americans who chose him as their candidate, and prop in Harris. Shazam! Totally legit and they’ll never have to face a day in court.
The stage is set for another hotly contested presidential election. The coming election has divided American families (*again*) created divisions (*again*) and frankly, opened my eyes to the hypocrisy of our elected officials and the United States lectures other nations about their electoral process?
Nonetheless, democracy trudges onward. This November millions of well intended Americans will go to the polls and choose one of two candidates — that is, if someone doesn’t off Trump in the mean time — and the outcome is sure to thrill half the world and half the country, while causing wailing and suicidal thoughts in the other half.
I have always wanted to vote, but being locked up for most of my life has taken that from me. Am I mad about it? Not in the least. No matter who wins this November and should Armageddon rain down in the very end, I will be able to cross my arms and say, See? You all did this not me.
Buy what if I could vote? Who would I vote for? I like to think I’m a logical man. I’ve listened to everyone in family about why one candidate should be chosen over the other; listened to talking heads on our unbiased news networks, and entertained the whining and crying men around me.
To figure out this Chinese puzzle (and I will, because I’m half Chinese), I ask myself, Who was the last president I truly liked and why? That person would be Ronald Reagan. What Would Reagan Do?
On the raging war in Ukraine where Russian hypersonic Iksander missiles rain down upon peace loving Ukrainian cities, What Would Reagan Do? Would he dither and withhold American approval allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with donated American weaponry like the Biden admin has? I think not. Would Reagan fear Putin’s attempts at nuclear blackmail like Biden has? Doubtful.
On the exploding war in the Middle East, where Hamas slaughtered 1,200 Israelis in their homes on October 7, 2023, the equivalent of 35,000 Americans, and Iranian proxies attack Israel hourly, What Would Reagan Do? I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t criticize Israel on their multi-front war for survival. Iran attacks Israel — not once, but twice — and Biden lectures Israel on ‘restraint’. Curious, what do you think America would do if Hamas slaughtered the equivalent of 35,000 Americans in their homes?
On illegal immigrants entering unhindered into the United States, What Would Reagan Do? I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t grant them amnesty or allow them to vote or put them up in hotels when our veterans are living in the streets.
I suppose I could go on but I will spare you this. By considering America’s glorious past I have solved the puzzle of who I would vote for.
Who you ask? I would vote for the candidate that would uphold the constitution and the rule of law, while sincerely working across the aisle. I would vote for the candidate who would support and not lecture our allies, while doing what is right for country.
How I miss Reagan.
*Christopher Monihan is a Society of Professional Journalists Stillwater award winner. His work has appeared in Prison Journalism Project and numerous other publications. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and is incarcerated in Ohio.
Administrative Power
“Administrative power is the greatest threat to civil liberties in our era. No single development in our legal system deprives more Americans of more constitutional rights.” —T. S.—
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I don’t like fighting. I’m not someone who walks around with a tough guy attitude. I am not invincible. However, I hold strong opinions about how we incarcerated are treated. I tend to speak my mind especially when it comes to incarceration, and I’m passionate about speaking truth to power. Someone has to do it. We all can’t remain silent.
Sometimes my opinions rub people the wrong way. Well, if that’s the case then I’m doing my job. Because if someone feels this way then I know they’ve been listening to what I have to say, and what I have to say isn’t always nice but it’s always the truth. Always.