By Freddie C.
Around 2012, the Literature Committee was approached by the Hospitals & Institutions Committee to collaborate on a project aimed at bringing literature to individuals who are incarcerated. The hope was to encourage members of CMA to share their stories about being in jail or prison and how recovery played a crucial role in their lives—whether through attending 12 Step panels or maintaining sobriety in challenging conditions. These writers could also reflect on how the fellowship helped them make meaningful changes, avoiding a return to substance use or criminal activity. Initially titled “From the Inside Looking Out,” the project eventually became the subtitle of A Sober Cell.
A Sober Cell: From the Inside Looking Out was an ambitious project that finally reached publication in 2018/2019. The H&I Committee chose to begin the effort by using stories written for the “Our Recovery” project. The original idea was to create a quick and accessible resource that would include personal stories, meeting formats, and the CMA suite of readings. The goal was to produce a PDF for distribution within the correctional system. To bring this vision to life, the H&I Committee worked closely with the Literature Committee.
This project proved to be a great success, reaching people across the country who might not otherwise have access to such valuable resources to support their recovery. The book is available for purchase, making it accessible to correctional facilities and members of the fellowship alike. The H&I Committee has also donated dozens of books to facilities in the U.S. and Canada.
In 2024, discussions within the Literature Committee began about expanding the book to include more stories and to create an additional project focusing on prisons and legal issues.
A Sober Cell was truly a labor of love for everyone involved. The final product is something we can all be proud of. While it takes time to produce literature that is relevant and continues to carry the message of recovery, the outcome is powerful. A heartfelt thanks goes out to all the story contributors and Committee members who dedicated themselves to bringing this project to completion.
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