Every month at the Washington State Penitentiary, a group of incarcerated journalists meets up to pick a theme for their news magazine.

The paper is called Top of the Mountain. It details the goings on in the prison as well as recipes for the food you can buy at the commissary, advice from long time residents, and interviews with the formerly incarcerated.

Top of The Mountain started after three people committed suicide in the unit. The goal was to be a way to form connection. It has grown into a labor of love. 

We spoke with the founder of Top of The Mountain and a reporter there about the paper and what it means to the prison community

Guests:

Jennifer Jaylee, founder of Top of the Mountain

Jeffrey McKee, writer for Top of the Mountain

Relevant Links:

Prison Journalism Project: My Job at a Washington State Prison Newsmagazine 

Every month at the Washington State Penitentiary, a group of incarcerated journalists meets up to pick a theme for their news magazine.
The paper is called Top of the Mountain. It details the goings on in the prison as well as recipes for the food you can buy at the commissary, advice from long time residents, and interviews with the formerly incarcerated.
Top of The Mountain started after three people committed suicide in the unit. The goal was to be a way to form connection. It has grown into a labor of love.&nbsp;
We spoke with the founder of Top of The Mountain and a reporter there about the paper and what it means to the prison community
Guests:
Jennifer Jaylee, founder of Top of the Mountain
Jeffrey McKee, writer for Top of the Mountain
Relevant Links:
Prison Journalism Project: <a href="https://prisonjournalismproject.org/2025/09/09/this-is-the-best-job-at-my-prison/">My Job at a Washington State Prison Newsmagazine </a>

Soundside

Every month at the Washington State Penitentiary, a group of incarcerated journalists meets up to pick a theme for their news magazine.  The paper is called Top of the Mountain. It details the goings on in the prison as well as recipes for the food you can buy at the commissary, advice from long time residents, and interviews with the formerly incarcerated.