While we have to be aware that any word we choose has influence, no amount of Googling will reveal the magic word that brings justice into American prisons.

Rahsaan Thomas, an imprisoned journalist, has long fought to change the way outside media describe people in prison. One of his toughest crowds? His fellow reporters.

Rethinking the words journalists use to talk about people who are currently or previously incarcerated.

I didn’t always detest this term. But hearing officers use it as an insult reminded me to call incarcerated people — including myself — by our names.