Cell Door Magazine gives voice to those living behind bars and those deeply connected to the prison experience. Every issue invites readers to step inside the world of incarceration and meet the individuals who live it every day.
Our content spans poetry, fiction, visual art, essays, and personal reflections. You’ll find pieces that challenge, enlighten, provoke, and inspire—from hard truths and social commentary to moments of self-discovery, resilience, and hope.
Above all, Cell Door is dedicated to revealing the human experience of imprisonment: its impact, its struggle, and its unexpected depth. We strive to engage readers who value both meaningful storytelling and authentic perspective. Through this work, we aim to show that incarcerated people are not defined by their sentences—they are thinkers, creators, and complex human beings with voices worth hearing.
ALL PIECES ARE CREATED AND WRITTEN BY PRISONERS OR PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRISON EXPERIENCE.
Submissions Welcomed!
Please send us: Articles, stories, art, poems, etc.
Cell Door Magazine
PO Box 758, Mancos 81328
To Our Artists and Contributors
Thank you to every one of you who has shared your voice, your vision, and your creativity with us. The artwork, short stories, poems, essays, and reflections you submit are the very heartbeat of this magazine.
Cell Door Magazine exists thanks to the generosity and passion of our incredible community—our donors, readers, and contributors. Your support keeps these voices alive and heard.
A special tribute goes to Laird Carlson. Though Laird is no longer with us in the physical world, his spirit endures—especially through this magazine, which he co-founded with Michael Tenneson more than twenty years ago. Their vision and commitment laid the foundation for what Cell Door has become today.
Help us expand our reach.
If you have suggestions for distribution or would like to request bulk copies, Contact Us!