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News | Awareness Days | Day of the Imprisoned Writer

Day of the Imprisoned Writer 2026

Day of the Imprisoned Writer is observed annually on 15 November, as it is in 2026 and has been every year at least since 1981, when it was first proposed by the Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International. Why this date was selected remains unclear, however, the parent organisation, through it's Charter, proclaims that:

"Literature knows no frontiers" and stands for "the principle of unhampered transmission of thought within each nation and between all nations. … members pledge themselves to oppose any form of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community to which they belong, as well as throughout the world wherever this is possible."

The day is often used to draw attention to specific instances, involving writers and their individual circumstances. Campaigns are generally centered around letter writing, public awareness, solidarity, and so on, as well as serving to commemorate writers killed in the previous year.

Stories of writers who have suffered or endured periods of imprisonment could probably fill a book in itself; while many books have been written or conceived by authors while in prison, or experiencing conditions of prison-like internment. Indeed, prison experiences have often served to shape authors, and the stories that they write, inspiring many to become authors in the first place. They act as a kind of reminder that a person may never know what is around the corner.

Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan would be among one of just many examples that could be cited. The Autobiography of Malcolm X would be another example of a project spawned by a period of incarceration. Even the late, recently deceased, Jeffrey Archer (justly or unjustly, for better or for worse!) endured a period of imprisonment.

However, this is where an important distinction might be made in connection with the 'day that is in it'. The Day is not concerned with cases of writers who may have been, or just so happen to be imprisoned. Rather, the pre-occupation is with cases of writers suffering confinement, detention, harrassment, or being otherwise silenced simply because of their writing, their views, opinions, and so on. Broadly speaking, they suffer deprivation simply/solely for exercising of their right to freedom of expression.

Days of the Year website neatly summarises it:

"It's a moment to recognize those punished for using their words to speak truth, challenge power, or share ideas. This day isn’t just about them; it’s about all of us who value free expression. … By acknowledging their struggles, we stand up for the right to write, read, and think freely. This day calls on everyone to support those who risk everything for their words."

It is in this kind of context that we invite everyone, not just to support Day of the Imprisoned Writer, but also to reflect upon the important issues that it raises. It is a matter that we will be returning to again, and not just on this day, particularly as regards issues like Freedom of Expression, and so forth.

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