Since January 2010, writing inside VT has forged trusting, pro-social relationships with hundreds of Vermont’s incarcerated women. Our writing circles at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility in South Burlington, Vermont provide safe, structured, supportive space for women to write toward growth and self-change regardless of education or writing ability. The program creates a community of trust for incarcerated women by modeling healthy interpersonal boundaries, equality of voice, respectful listening, compassion, positive feedback practices, and confidentiality. Many of these women experience the validation of their words and insights for the first time ever.

THE WOMEN BEHIND THE PROGRAM:

Sarah W. Bartlett is a long-time writing midwife for women to empower voice and celebrate change. Since 1993 when she first joined Women Writing for (a) Change® she has lived the practices of that creative writing community. Licensed in 2004 to operate her own WomenWritingVT program, she established the framework for writing inside VT on the same proven model. She holds a BA from Cornell University and MA and ScD from Harvard University. Her writing has been published in respected academic and literary journals as well as highly-acclaimed anthologies.

In late 2009, Sarah invited Marybeth Christie Redmond to join her in creating a writing program inside Vermont’s sole women’s prison. Together they co-founded writing inside VT in January 2010. A writer-journalist for more than 25 years, Marybeth uses story-telling to advance the dignity of people and create social change. She is an occasional commentator for Vermont Public Radio. She holds a BA from University of Notre Dame and MA from Columbia School of Journalism and has served in the Vermont House of Representatives since 2018.

Until March 2020, Meg Reynolds directed the program, sharing facilitation with other long-time wiVT team members. Meg is a local teacher, writer, and artist. She holds her BA in English, Arts and Visual Culture from Bates College, and her MFA in poetry from Stonecoast/University of Southern Maine. She is co-founder of Pine Street Poets whose self-titled chapbook was recently published through Honeybee Press; and is collecting her own growing list of publications. 

Past Facilitators

• Kristen B.
• Melissa P.
• Jennifer C.

Past Writing Assistants

• Kassie T.
• Tobe Z.
• Victoria I.
• Dorsey N.

Advisory Board

• Kathy Fox
• Stacy Raphael
• Charon True
• Katie Langrock
• Carolyn Subin
• Holly Miller