Writing From Behind The Wall with John J. Lennon [Part 1]

Writing From Behind The Wall with John J. Lennon [Part 1]

From Pursuing Justice by Harriet Hendel

January 8, 2026 · 21 min · Episode 230

About this episode

John J. Lennon discusses his experiences and writing while serving time in prison.

John J. Lennon is serving his twenty-fourth year behind bars, currently in Sing Sing Correctional Facility. His writing has appeared in The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Esquire, and New York magazine. His work has been anthologized in the Best American Magazine Writing, and he’s twice been a finalist for the National Magazine Award, in feature writing and reviews and criticism. Lennon recently published his first book, The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories That Define Us , which was named a "best book of the year" by the New York Times and NPR. Lennon will be eligible for parole in 2029. To learn more about John, and to purchase his book, visit https://johnjlennon.net/ This podcast is proudly sponsored by the Innocence Project of Florida. Visit www.floridainnocence.org for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Harriet Hendel

Guest: John J. Lennon

Topics covered

  • criminal justice
  • writing
  • incarceration
  • true crime
  • parole

Keywords

  • John J. Lennon
  • true crime
  • writing
  • incarceration
  • parole

Sponsors

Innocence Project of Florida

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Esquire, New York magazine

Books & works: The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and the Stories That Define Us

Places: Sing Sing Correctional Facility

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