Sign in

Prison Math Project

@prisonmathproject.bsky.social
52 followers 31 following 29 posts

We support the study of math and computer science in prisons by building coding apps, creating math circles, and pairing incarcerated people with math mentors.

PostsRepliesMedia
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
How did the ancient Greeks know the Earth was round without satellites or cell phones? One incarcerated father explains it to his daughter during a family visit, and it turns into an all-nighter math marathon. www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/a-well-...
prisonmathproject.org
Nonlinear Transformations: A Well-Rounded World
During a family visit, an incarcerated father uses Eratosthenes' ancient method for measuring the Earth to teach kids the wonder of math.
010
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
In the cacophony of a prison dayroom, a quiet communion occurs over sines, tangents, and the unit circle. With humor and a keen eye for observing prison dynamics, Nathan recounts a simple interaction over a trigonometry problem. www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/this-is...
prisonmathproject.org
Nonlinear Transformations: This is Nuts!
020
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
There is a specific, quiet threshold in every academic career: the moment you move from solving problems to posing them. For Travis Cunningham, that threshold is a first paper on Schrödinger operators and the distribution of resonances. www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/the-pri...
prisonmathproject.org
The Prison to PhD Pipeline: That Impossible Goal
021
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
Did you know... PMP made the front page of Wikipedia? Thank you, @wikipedia.org. We're thrilled to be featured in the "Did you know..." section on Pi Day. Happy Pi Day! 🥧🎉
"Did you know..." section of wikipedia homepage
063
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Today, we send our congratulations to PMP mentee Travis Cunningham, who recently made available through arXiv his first solo paper. Travis is gearing up to apply to graduate school and has several papers coming up soon. Stay tuned! Access: arxiv.org/abs/2602.20392
arxiv.org
Improved fractal Weyl bounds matching improved spectral gaps for hyperbolic surfaces and open quantum maps
We prove a new fractal Weyl upper bound for the high-energy distribution of resonances of convex co-compact hyperbolic surfaces which matches the improved spectral gap given by Fourier decay. This imp...
061
Reposted by Prison Math Project
Tien Chih @tienchihmath.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
It's finally here! "Linear Optimization: A Geometric Inquiry Course" gives an inquiry based course in linear optimization supplemented by technology for intuition building. A great class for interests in either pure or applied math! Physical Copies now on sale: www.619wreath.com/store/p53/Li...
619wreath.com
Linear Optimization: A Geometric Inquiry Course
"Linear Optimization: A Geometric Inquiry Course" is an inquiry based learning text for an undergraduate course in linear optimization. Taking a geometric vantage point to build intuition, students wo...
22612
Reposted by Prison Math Project
Tien Chih @tienchihmath.bsky.social · 01/03/2026
A pdf or html version may be found here: linopt.tienchih.org A portion of the proceeds supports the Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social
linopt.tienchih.org
Linear Optimization
063
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
We often view expertise as a solitary climb, but knowledge production only happens in community. "It is not enough to read and understand... You must be able to do something of your own with it." For Travis, building that community took a leap of faith. www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/the-pri...
prisonmathproject.org
The Prison to PhD Pipeline: Dawn
An inquiry into the genesis of academic opportunity within the carceral system. Travis Cunningham details the 'Dawn' of his research career, bridging the gap between solitary study and the broader sch...
030
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
"I can't volunteer to help him in his GED prep class... That is a security risk." Nathan Kimbrell writes about the hurdles of prison education, and the loophole that allows him to trade the chaos of the cell block for the chaplain's office. www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/algebra...
prisonmathproject.org
Nonlinear Transformations: An Algebraic Security Risk
Incarcerated mathematician Nathan Kimbrell reflects on the hurdles of tutoring in prison, where sharing equations becomes a rare escape from barbed wire and bureaucracy.
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Imagine discovering your life's passion but having absolutely no one to share it with. For years, Travis studied in isolation, fearing that the academic world wouldn’t accept him. But one day, he took a risk. www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/the-pri...
prisonmathproject.org
The Prison to PhD Pipeline: Reaching Out
After years studying math in solitude in prison, Travis Cunningham reaches out to the math community. Read his story to learn how he is building his own Prison to PhD pipeline.
011
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Don’t forget to enter our raffle! Every ticket helps us expand our Math Circles and provide life-changing resources to incarcerated students. Support the mission and grab your chance to win here: www.every.org/pmp/f/suppor...
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
Mathematicians + intriguing problems + a supportive community = transformation. This year, PMP organized seven Math Circles in correctional facilities in Canada, Florida, Illinois, North Dakota, and Washington.
PMP Wrapped graphic stating "7 ongoing math circles"
120
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
2025 was a year filled with new projects and growth for PMP. We are honored to continue this beautiful work in 2026! But first, let’s do a countdown to Christmas and recap what made our year special with our very own PMP Wrapped.
PMP 2025 Wrapped cover image showing the PMP logo of triangles enclosed by a circle over a blue background with a white frame.
121
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Want to make an impact AND possibly win a Christmas gift? Enter the PMP raffle with your donation receipt! Since the PMP will start a book club next year, the raffle prize is: a brand new Kobo Clara Color eReader!
110
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
We have a matching gift! With your help, we can #UnlockPotential and change the trajectory of a person's life. A $20 donation buys the first geometry set an incarcerated learner has ever had. Today, your gift is worth DOUBLE. prisonmathproject.org/donate
131
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Mathematics can free minds in the tightest of constraints. "Every time I opened a textbook or read a research paper, every day I stayed clean, every time I showed compassion to the people around me, I was fighting a system that wanted me to fail." Read: www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/the-pri...
Image depicts a young man wearing a blue jacket and holding a puppy.
041
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
"Prison sucks that out of you, if you let it. You'll give up on yourself and the world too." Math can be a liberatory force, transform lives and enrichen the human spirit in the face of adversity. Read more about Nathan and Smoke's journeys here: www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/calcula...
Zoomed in image of two calculators side by side.
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
How do you learn to code from a prison cell with no computer? For one student, it started with sending JavaScript snippets via email. That simple hack led to PMP's CodePraxis. Now, the mission is to bring this project to prisons across the country. www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/trials-...
CodePraxis app interface
010
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
In "A Spark in the Dark", the second installment of our "Prison to PhD Pipeline" series, Travis Cunningham recounts his first steps towards becoming a math researcher: www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/the-pri...
prisonmathproject.org
The Prison to PhD Pipeline: A Spark in the Dark
a spark in the dark, travis cunningham, learning math, math solver, math project
063
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
"Things begin to change because you change the way you look at them." Nathan Kimbrell, PMP participant, reflects upon the ways in which math and mentorship can rewire your thinking in "Phantasmagoria" www.prisonmathproject.org/blog/phantas...
Illustration from Edmé-Gilles Guyot's Nouvelles Récréations Physiques et Mathématiques depicting a hidden magic projection on smoke apparatus.
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Do you know an incarcerated person with a keen interest in math? You can help them feel a part of the math community while they're inside prison. Contact us with their mailing info and we'll send them a physical copy of our quarterly newsletter.
Image shows the Fall newsletter cover with a table of contents.
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
We asked Christopher what is his favorite number and this is what he told us. Read more on continued fractions and the "Zopf" number here: bit.ly/3La0rs0
Screenshot of blog interview with Christopher Havens where he discusses the significance of the "Zopf" number
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Big news: we are expanding our digital space with a new blog! Expect to see insights on math education, stories from our participants, and reflections on justice and the carceral system. For our first post, Christopher Havens joined us for an interview exploring his journey. bit.ly/3La0rs0
Photograph of Christopher Havens, PMP founder, smiling in front of a painted landscape background.
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Have you had the chance to read our Fall '25 Newsletter yet? Delve into it and explore powerful insights on math, being and justice, as well as thought-provoking problems designed to challenge your intellect. prisonmathproject.org/newsletter
prisonmathproject.org
Newsletter
031
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Any amount helps - $3 can help support our mission to bring math and computer science inside prisons. :) Please considering giving today! If you share and repost, that helps too. :)
000
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
We recently secured approval for a pilot program in Australia's largest prison! This makes our coding app available for incarcerated people. Before, learning programming was functionally impossible: imagine learning how to code without being able to run and compile your code!
020
Reposted by Prison Math Project
Daniel Litt @littmath.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
I’ve been studying this blob recently:
Graph of a real affine cubic surface with one compact component
3191
Reposted by Prison Math Project
Steve Trettel @stevejtrettel.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
My artwork "Many Paths to the Beach" is currently on display at O'Hanlon Center for the Arts in Mill Valley CA. here's a math explainer thread: what are we looking at here?
A repeating 3D lattice of blue orbs against a black background.  Looking closely into any one of the orbs reveals a distorted view of sea, sky and sand dunes.  Each orb gives a slightly different perspective on the scene.
1288
Prison Math Project @prisonmathproject.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Our biggest and more important holiday fundraiser yet!🎄❄️🕯️We have developed an app to allow incarcerated people to program on their tablets. This is part of our mission to allow incarcerated people everywhere to learn math and computer science. www.every.org/pmp/f/help-b...
every.org
Help Bring Computer Science inside Prisons | Every.org
Join us in advancing tech education for incarcerated individuals with the PMP Console! This unique coding app provides a text editor, compiler, and interactive courses with explanations and exercises,...
000