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{{Short description|American author}}
{{Short description|American author (born 1969)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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| caption = Kerman at the [[University of Missouri]] in 2014
| caption = Kerman at the [[University of Missouri]] in 2014
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|09|28}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|09|28}}
| birth_place = [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]], U.S.<ref name=NYT>{{cite web|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=Prison Life, Real and Onscreen|first=Aimee|last=Lee Ball|date=August 2, 2013|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/fashion/prison-life-real-and-onscreen.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0}}</ref>
| alma_mater = [[Smith College]]
| alma_mater = [[Smith College]]
| notable_works = ''[[Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison]]''
| notable_works = ''[[Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison]]''
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| website = {{URL|piperkerman.com}}<br>{{URL|www.thepipebomb.com}}
| website = {{URL|piperkerman.com}}<br>{{URL|www.thepipebomb.com}}
}}
}}
'''Piper Eressea Kerman'''<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 21, 2006|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/fashion/weddings/21kerm.html|title=Piper Kerman and Larry Smith}}</ref> (born September 28, 1969) is an American author. She was indicted in 1998 on charges of [[felony|felonious]] [[money-laundering]] activities, and sentenced to 15 months' detention in a federal correctional facility, of which she eventually served 13 months. Her memoir of her prison experiences, ''[[Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison]]'', was adapted into the critically-acclaimed [[Netflix]] original comedy-drama series ''[[Orange Is the New Black]]''. Since leaving prison, Kerman has spoken widely about women in prison and problems with the federal prison system. She now works as a communication strategist for non-profit organizations.
'''Piper Eressea Kerman'''<ref name=NYTWedding>{{cite news |work=[[The New York Times]] |department=Weddings & Celebrations |date=May 21, 2006 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/fashion/weddings/21kerm.html |title=Piper Kerman and Larry Smith |access-date= |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127145904/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/21/fashion/weddings/21kerm.html |archive-date=2016-01-27 |url-status=live}}</ref> (born September 28, 1969) is an American author. She was indicted in 1998 on charges of [[felony|felonious]] [[money-laundering]] activities, and sentenced to 15 months' detention in a federal correctional facility, of which she eventually served 13 months. Her memoir of her prison experiences, ''[[Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison]]'' (2010), was adapted into the critically-acclaimed [[Netflix]] comedy-drama series ''[[Orange Is the New Black]]'' (2013). Since leaving prison, Kerman has spoken widely about women in prison and problems with the federal prison system. She now works as a communication strategist for non-profit organizations.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Kerman was born in [[Boston]]<ref name="NYT" /> into a family with a number of attorneys, doctors and educators.<ref name="NYT" /> She graduated from Swampscott High School in [[Swampscott, Massachusetts]], in 1987,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patch.com/massachusetts/swampscott/orange-is-the-new-black-author-is-blue |title='Orange is the New Black' Author is Blue |last=Solomon |first=Jared |date=November 2, 2013 |publisher=[[Patch Media|Patch]] |access-date=December 4, 2015}}</ref> and [[Smith College]] in 1992.<ref name="H&N" /> Kerman is a self-described [[White Anglo-Saxon Protestant|WASP]]; however, she had a paternal grandfather who was [[Russian Jews|Russian-Jewish]].<ref name="H&N">{{cite web |url=http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/07/29/orange-new-black |title=The Woman Behind 'Orange is the New Black' |last=Young |first=Robin |date=July 29, 2013 |work=[[WBUR-FM]] |publisher=[[Boston University]] |access-date=August 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/Piper/status/322346590687858690 |title=Response on Twitter |last=Kerman |first=Piper |date=April 11, 2013 |publisher=[[Twitter]] |access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref>
Kerman was born in [[Boston]] into a family with a number of attorneys, doctors and educators.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prison Life, Real and Onscreen |first=Aimee Lee |last=Ball |date=2013-08-03 |orig-date=2013-08-02 |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/fashion/prison-life-real-and-onscreen.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |access-date= |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130806000502/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/fashion/prison-life-real-and-onscreen.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |archive-date=2013-08-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> She graduated from Swampscott High School in [[Swampscott, Massachusetts]], in 1987,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://patch.com/massachusetts/swampscott/orange-is-the-new-black-author-is-blue |title='Orange is the New Black' Author is Blue |last=Solomon |first=Jared |date=November 2, 2013 |publisher=[[Patch Media|Patch]] |access-date=December 4, 2015}}</ref> and [[Smith College]] in 1992.<ref name="H&N" /> Kerman is a self-described [[White Anglo-Saxon Protestant|WASP]]; however, she had a paternal grandfather who was [[Russian Jews|Russian-Jewish]].<ref name="H&N">{{cite web |url=http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/07/29/orange-new-black |title=The Woman Behind 'Orange is the New Black' |last=Young |first=Robin |date=July 29, 2013 |work=[[WBUR-FM]] |publisher=[[Boston University]] |access-date=August 15, 2013 |archive-date=August 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823182638/http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2013/07/29/orange-new-black |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/Piper/status/322346590687858690 |title=Response on Twitter |last=Kerman |first=Piper |date=April 11, 2013 |publisher=[[Twitter]] |access-date=January 12, 2015}}</ref>


== Criminal career ==
== Criminal career ==
In 1993, Kerman became romantically involved with Catherine Cleary Wolters (Nora Janson in her memoir: [[Laura Prepon]]'s character [[Alex Vause]] in the series),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/04/orange-is-the-new-black-real-alex|title = The Real Alex of Orange is the New Black Speaks for the First Time| website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date = April 15, 2014}}</ref> a [[heroin]] dealer working for an alleged [[Nigerian]] [[Boss (crime)|kingpin]].<ref name="nymag1">{{cite web|last=Humphrey |first=Michael |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/03/piper_kerman.html |title=Ex-Convict Piper Kerman on Her Hot New Memoir, Orange Is the New Black |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]] |date=March 25, 2010 |access-date=May 8, 2010}}</ref><ref name="truthout1">{{cite web |url=http://www.truthout.org/orange-is-new-black-a-year-a-womens-prison58218 |title=Orange Is the New Black: A Year in a Women's Prison |publisher=Truthout |date=April 1, 2010 |first=Liliana |last=Segur |access-date=May 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606051417/http://www.truthout.org/orange-is-new-black-a-year-a-womens-prison58218 |archive-date=June 6, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kerman [[Money laundering|laundered money]] for the drug operation.<ref name="nymag1"/>
In 1993, Kerman became romantically involved with Catherine Cleary Wolters, a heroin dealer affiliated with an alleged Nigerian drug kingpin. In Kerman's memoir, Wolters is referred to as Nora Janson, and she inspired the character [[Alex Vause]], portrayed by [[Laura Prepon]] in the television series ''Orange Is the New Black''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/04/orange-is-the-new-black-real-alex|title = The Real Alex of Orange is the New Black Speaks for the First Time| website=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date = April 15, 2014}}</ref> Kerman became involved in the drug operation by [[Money laundering|laundering money]].<ref name="nymag1">{{cite web |last=Humphrey |first=Michael |date=March 25, 2010 |title=Ex-Convict Piper Kerman on Her Hot New Memoir, Orange Is the New Black |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/03/piper_kerman.html |access-date=May 8, 2010 |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York Magazine]]}}</ref>


In 1998, Kerman was indicted for money laundering and [[drug trafficking]] and she pled guilty.<ref name="nymag1"/> Starting in 2004, she served 13 months of a 15-month sentence at [[FCI Danbury]], a [[minimum security prison]] located in [[Danbury, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2250034 |title=What's a Nice Blonde Like Me Doing in Prison?|work=Slate|author= Grose, Jessica|author-link= Jessica Grose|date= April 8, 2010}}</ref>
In 1998, Kerman was indicted on charges of money laundering and [[drug trafficking]]. She subsequently pled guilty to these charges.<ref name="nymag1"/> She was sentenced to 15 months in prison and served 13 months at [[FCI Danbury]], Connecticut, starting in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2250034 |title=What's a Nice Blonde Like Me Doing in Prison?|work=Slate|author= Grose, Jessica|author-link= Jessica Grose|date= April 8, 2010}}</ref>


During her sentence, she built her website "The Pipe Bomb" to document her life behind bars.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paige|first=Rachel|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/95294-how-long-was-piper-in-prison-in-real-life-the-orange-is-the-new-black-author|title=How Long Was Piper In Prison In Real Life? The 'Orange Is The New Black' Author Documented Her Time With A Website|work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]|date=July 23, 2015|access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref>
During her incarceration, Kerman created a website called [https://web.archive.org/web/20190809075136/http://www.thepipebomb.com/ The Pipe Bomb], where she chronicled her experiences in prison.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paige|first=Rachel|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/95294-how-long-was-piper-in-prison-in-real-life-the-orange-is-the-new-black-author|title=How Long Was Piper In Prison In Real Life? The 'Orange Is The New Black' Author Documented Her Time With A Website|work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]|date=July 23, 2015|access-date=April 13, 2016}}</ref>


== Later career ==
== Later career ==
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Kerman serves on the board of the [[Women's Prison Association]] and is frequently invited to speak to students of creative writing, criminology, gender and women's studies law, and sociology, and to groups, like the [[American Correctional Association]]'s Disproportionate Minority Confinement Task Force, federal probation officers, public defenders, justice reform advocates and volunteers, book club and formerly and currently incarcerated people.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}
Kerman serves on the board of the [[Women's Prison Association]] and is frequently invited to speak to students of creative writing, criminology, gender and women's studies law, and sociology, and to groups, like the [[American Correctional Association]]'s Disproportionate Minority Confinement Task Force, federal probation officers, public defenders, justice reform advocates and volunteers, book club and formerly and currently incarcerated people.{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}


On February 10, 2014, Kerman received the 2014 Justice Trailblazer Award from the [[John Jay College of Criminal Justice]] Center on Media, Crime & Justice.<ref>{{cite web|website=jjay.cuny.edu|url=http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/acalendar/EventList.aspx?fromdate=2/10/2014&todate=2/10/2014&display=day&type=public&eventidn=6514&view=EventDetails&information_id=17659|title=2014 Justice Trailblazer Award Dinner - Honoring Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black|date=February 10, 2014}}</ref>
On February 10, 2014, Kerman received the 2014 Justice Trailblazer Award from the [[John Jay College of Criminal Justice]] Center on Media, Crime & Justice.<ref>{{cite web|website=jjay.cuny.edu|url=http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/acalendar/EventList.aspx?fromdate=2%2F10%2F2014&todate=2%2F10%2F2014&display=day&type=public&eventidn=6514&view=EventDetails&information_id=17659|title=2014 Justice Trailblazer Award Dinner - Honoring Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black|date=February 10, 2014|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=July 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702120331/http://johnjay.jjay.cuny.edu/acalendar/EventList.aspx?fromdate=2%2F10%2F2014&todate=2%2F10%2F2014&display=day&type=public&eventidn=6514&view=EventDetails&information_id=17659|url-status=dead}}</ref>


On February 25, 2014, Kerman testified at a hearing on "Reassessing Solitary Confinement" before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights chaired by Assistant Majority Leader [[Dick Durbin]].<ref name=Testimony>{{cite web|title=Testimony of Piper Kerman, author, ''Orange is the New Black''|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0VPDvCGeqo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/-0VPDvCGeqo |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=April 20, 2014|date=February 26, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
On February 25, 2014, Kerman testified at a hearing on "Reassessing Solitary Confinement" before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights chaired by Assistant Majority Leader [[Dick Durbin]].<ref name=Testimony>{{cite web|title=Testimony of Piper Kerman, author, ''Orange is the New Black''|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0VPDvCGeqo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/-0VPDvCGeqo |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|publisher=YouTube|access-date=April 20, 2014|date=February 26, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


On August 4, 2015, Kerman testified at a hearing on "Oversight of the Bureau of Prisons: First-Hand Accounts of Challenges Facing the Federal Prison System" before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Senator [[Ron Johnson (Wisconsin politician)|Ron Johnson]].<ref name=Testimony2>{{cite web|title=Testimony of Piper Kerman, author, ''Orange is the New Black''|url=http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/oversight-of-the-bureau-of-prisons-first-hand-accounts-of-challenges-facing-the-federal-prison-system|publisher=Senate|access-date=August 4, 2015|date=August 4, 2015}}</ref>
On August 4, 2015, Kerman testified at a hearing on "Oversight of the Bureau of Prisons: First-Hand Accounts of Challenges Facing the Federal Prison System" before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Senator [[Ron Johnson]].<ref name=Testimony2>{{cite web|title=Testimony of Piper Kerman, author, ''Orange is the New Black''|url=http://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/oversight-of-the-bureau-of-prisons-first-hand-accounts-of-challenges-facing-the-federal-prison-system|publisher=Senate|access-date=August 4, 2015|date=August 4, 2015}}</ref>


Since 2015, Kerman has worked as a communications strategist for nonprofits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityarts.net/event/piper-kerman/ |website=CityArts.net|title=Piper Kerman}}</ref>
Since 2015, Kerman has worked as a communications strategist for nonprofits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityarts.net/event/piper-kerman/ |website=CityArts.net|title=Piper Kerman}}</ref>
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== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
Kerman has said, "I'm [[bisexual]], so I'm a part of the [[Homosexuality|gay]] community ([[LGBT+]])".<ref name="L Style G Style">{{cite web|url=http://www.lstylegstyle.com/stories/the-real-piper-of-orange-is-the-new-black/|title=The REAL Piper of Orange is the New Black|author=Lynn Yeldell|work=L Style G Style|access-date=June 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617151356/http://www.lstylegstyle.com/stories/the-real-piper-of-orange-is-the-new-black/|archive-date=June 17, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> She [[Coming out|came out]] around the age of 18, and identified herself as a [[lesbian]] during most of her youth.<ref name="L Style G Style" /> On May 21, 2006,<ref name="nytimes"/> Kerman married writer [[Larry Smith (editor)|Larry Smith]].<ref name="nytimes"/> Kerman and Smith live in [[Columbus, Ohio]], and she teaches writing classes at the [[Marion Correctional Institution (Ohio)|Marion Correctional Institution]] and the [[Ohio Reformatory for Women]] in nearby [[Marysville, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/02/piper-kerman-speech.html|title='Orange Is the New Black' author Piper Kerman shares her story in Westerville|author=Jeannie Nuss|work=The Columbus Dispatch}}</ref><ref name=CD052015>{{cite news|last1=Nuss|first1=Jeannie|title=Author of 'Orange Is The New Black' explains move to Columbus|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2015/05/31/1-author-of-orange-explains-ohio-move.html|access-date=May 31, 2015|work=The [[Columbus Dispatch]]|date=May 31, 2015}}</ref>
Kerman has said, "I'm [[bisexual]], so I'm a part of the [[Homosexuality|gay]] community ([[LGBT+]])".<ref name="L Style G Style">{{cite web|url=http://www.lstylegstyle.com/stories/the-real-piper-of-orange-is-the-new-black/|title=The REAL Piper of Orange is the New Black|author=Lynn Yeldell|work=L Style G Style|access-date=June 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617151356/http://www.lstylegstyle.com/stories/the-real-piper-of-orange-is-the-new-black/|archive-date=June 17, 2017|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> She [[Coming out|came out]] around the age of 18, and identified herself as a [[lesbian]] during most of her youth.<ref name="L Style G Style" /> On May 21, 2006,<ref name=NYTWedding/> Kerman married writer [[Larry Smith (editor)|Larry Smith]], a few months after he started publishing ''[[Smith Magazine]]''.<ref name=NYTWedding/> Kerman and Smith live in [[Columbus, Ohio]], and she teaches writing classes at the [[Marion Correctional Institution (Ohio)|Marion Correctional Institution]] and the [[Ohio Reformatory for Women]] in nearby [[Marysville, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/02/piper-kerman-speech.html|title='Orange Is the New Black' author Piper Kerman shares her story in Westerville|author=Jeannie Nuss|work=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=September 17, 2015|archive-date=August 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822074232/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/06/02/piper-kerman-speech.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=CD052015>{{cite news|last1=Nuss|first1=Jeannie|title=Author of 'Orange Is The New Black' explains move to Columbus|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2015/05/31/1-author-of-orange-explains-ohio-move.html|access-date=May 31, 2015|work=The [[Columbus Dispatch]]|date=May 31, 2015|archive-date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602000416/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/life_and_entertainment/2015/05/31/1-author-of-orange-explains-ohio-move.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was awarded the 'Humanist Heroine of the Year Award' from the 'Humanist Hub' group at [[Harvard University]].<ref>Scene and Heard: Piper Kerman | Magazine | The Harvard Crimson. (n.d.). https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/4/9/scene-and-heard-piper/</ref>


== Works ==
== Works ==
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==See also==
==See also==
*[[Teresa Giudice]], reality star and media personality whose prison memoir, ''Turning the Tables'' (2015), describes her 15-month incarceration from 2015 to 2016, for fraud, at the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, CT
*[[Teresa Giudice]], reality star and media personality whose prison memoir, ''Turning the Tables'' (2015), describes her 15-month incarceration from 2015 to 2016, for fraud, at the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, CT
*[[Martha Stewart]], celebrity who was incarcerated from 2004 to 2005, for offenses related to insider trading, at Federal Prison Camp, Alderson, WV
*[[Martha Stewart]], celebrity who was incarcerated from 2004 to 2005, for offenses related to insider trading, at Federal Prison Camp, Alderson, WV


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:American people convicted of drug offenses]]
[[Category:American people convicted of drug offenses]]
[[Category:People convicted of money laundering]]
[[Category:People convicted of money laundering]]
[[Category:American memoirists]]
[[Category:American women memoirists]]
[[Category:Writers from Boston]]
[[Category:Writers from Boston]]
[[Category:Bisexual writers]]
[[Category:Bisexual women writers]]
[[Category:Bisexual women]]
[[Category:American LGBTQ rights activists]]
[[Category:LGBT rights activists from the United States]]
[[Category:Bisexual memoirists]]
⚫
[[Category:LGBT memoirists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Prison reformers]]
[[Category:American prison reformers]]
[[Category:LGBT people from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Russian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Orange Is the New Black]]
[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]
⚫
[[Category:21st-century American memoirists]]
[[Category:21st-century American LGBTQ people]]
[[Category:21st-century American criminals]]
[[Category:American female criminals]]

Latest revision as of 21:46, 24 September 2024

Piper Kerman
Kerman at the University of Missouri in 2014
Born (1969-09-28) September 28, 1969 (age 55)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma materSmith College
Occupations
  • Writer
  • author
  • memoirist
Notable workOrange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison
Spouse
​
(m. 2006)​
Websitepiperkerman.com
www.thepipebomb.com

Piper Eressea Kerman[1] (born September 28, 1969) is an American author. She was indicted in 1998 on charges of felonious money-laundering activities, and sentenced to 15 months' detention in a federal correctional facility, of which she eventually served 13 months. Her memoir of her prison experiences, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison (2010), was adapted into the critically-acclaimed Netflix comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black (2013). Since leaving prison, Kerman has spoken widely about women in prison and problems with the federal prison system. She now works as a communication strategist for non-profit organizations.

Early life and education

[edit]

Kerman was born in Boston into a family with a number of attorneys, doctors and educators.[2] She graduated from Swampscott High School in Swampscott, Massachusetts, in 1987,[3] and Smith College in 1992.[4] Kerman is a self-described WASP; however, she had a paternal grandfather who was Russian-Jewish.[4][5]

Criminal career

[edit]

In 1993, Kerman became romantically involved with Catherine Cleary Wolters, a heroin dealer affiliated with an alleged Nigerian drug kingpin. In Kerman's memoir, Wolters is referred to as Nora Janson, and she inspired the character Alex Vause, portrayed by Laura Prepon in the television series Orange Is the New Black.[6] Kerman became involved in the drug operation by laundering money.[7]

In 1998, Kerman was indicted on charges of money laundering and drug trafficking. She subsequently pled guilty to these charges.[7] She was sentenced to 15 months in prison and served 13 months at FCI Danbury, Connecticut, starting in 2004.[8]

During her incarceration, Kerman created a website called The Pipe Bomb, where she chronicled her experiences in prison.[9]

Later career

[edit]

Kerman's best-selling memoir about her experiences in prison, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison, was published by Spiegel & Grau on April 6, 2010. A television adaptation of the same name created by Jenji Kohan, the Emmy award-winning creator of Weeds, premiered on July 11, 2013, on Netflix and aired for seven seasons. Kerman's character in the series ("Piper Chapman") is played by Taylor Schilling. Orange is the New Black has received critical acclaim and won four Emmy Awards.[10][11]

Kerman serves on the board of the Women's Prison Association and is frequently invited to speak to students of creative writing, criminology, gender and women's studies law, and sociology, and to groups, like the American Correctional Association's Disproportionate Minority Confinement Task Force, federal probation officers, public defenders, justice reform advocates and volunteers, book club and formerly and currently incarcerated people.[citation needed]

On February 10, 2014, Kerman received the 2014 Justice Trailblazer Award from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice Center on Media, Crime & Justice.[12]

On February 25, 2014, Kerman testified at a hearing on "Reassessing Solitary Confinement" before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Human Rights chaired by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin.[13]

On August 4, 2015, Kerman testified at a hearing on "Oversight of the Bureau of Prisons: First-Hand Accounts of Challenges Facing the Federal Prison System" before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee chaired by Senator Ron Johnson.[14]

Since 2015, Kerman has worked as a communications strategist for nonprofits.[15]

Since her prison sentence, Kerman has spoken publicly many times on behalf of women in corrections and about her experience.[16]

In 2019, she appeared as a guest in the last episode of Orange Is the New Black in the last scene in the Ohio prison, when Piper visited Alex. Kerman sat two seats to the left of Alex as a convict visited by her husband (in real life). She makes a cameo appearance in the show’s opening credits as the convict who blinks.

Personal life

[edit]

Kerman has said, "I'm bisexual, so I'm a part of the gay community (LGBT+)".[17] She came out around the age of 18, and identified herself as a lesbian during most of her youth.[17] On May 21, 2006,[1] Kerman married writer Larry Smith, a few months after he started publishing Smith Magazine.[1] Kerman and Smith live in Columbus, Ohio, and she teaches writing classes at the Marion Correctional Institution and the Ohio Reformatory for Women in nearby Marysville, Ohio.[18][19] She was awarded the 'Humanist Heroine of the Year Award' from the 'Humanist Hub' group at Harvard University.[20]

Works

[edit]

See also

[edit]
  • Teresa Giudice, reality star and media personality whose prison memoir, Turning the Tables (2015), describes her 15-month incarceration from 2015 to 2016, for fraud, at the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, CT
  • Martha Stewart, celebrity who was incarcerated from 2004 to 2005, for offenses related to insider trading, at Federal Prison Camp, Alderson, WV

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Piper Kerman and Larry Smith". Weddings & Celebrations. The New York Times. May 21, 2006. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016.
  2. ^ Ball, Aimee Lee (August 3, 2013) [2013-08-02]. "Prison Life, Real and Onscreen". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013.
  3. ^ Solomon, Jared (November 2, 2013). "'Orange is the New Black' Author is Blue". Patch. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Young, Robin (July 29, 2013). "The Woman Behind 'Orange is the New Black'". WBUR-FM. Boston University. Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  5. ^ Kerman, Piper (April 11, 2013). "Response on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  6. ^ "The Real Alex of Orange is the New Black Speaks for the First Time". Vanity Fair. April 15, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Humphrey, Michael (March 25, 2010). "Ex-Convict Piper Kerman on Her Hot New Memoir, Orange Is the New Black". New York Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2010.
  8. ^ Grose, Jessica (April 8, 2010). "What's a Nice Blonde Like Me Doing in Prison?". Slate.
  9. ^ Paige, Rachel (July 23, 2015). "How Long Was Piper In Prison In Real Life? The 'Orange Is The New Black' Author Documented Her Time With A Website". Bustle. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  10. ^ "Why Netflix Renewed 'Orange is the New Black' for Three Seasons". Indiewire. February 5, 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  11. ^ "Awards Search". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "2014 Justice Trailblazer Award Dinner - Honoring Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black". jjay.cuny.edu. February 10, 2014. Archived from the original on July 2, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  13. ^ "Testimony of Piper Kerman, author, Orange is the New Black". YouTube. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2014.
  14. ^ "Testimony of Piper Kerman, author, Orange is the New Black". Senate. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 4, 2015.
  15. ^ "Piper Kerman". CityArts.net.
  16. ^ "Piper Kerman | Events".
  17. ^ a b Lynn Yeldell. "The REAL Piper of Orange is the New Black". L Style G Style. Archived from the original on June 17, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  18. ^ Jeannie Nuss. "'Orange Is the New Black' author Piper Kerman shares her story in Westerville". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  19. ^ Nuss, Jeannie (May 31, 2015). "Author of 'Orange Is The New Black' explains move to Columbus". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  20. ^ Scene and Heard: Piper Kerman | Magazine | The Harvard Crimson. (n.d.). https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2015/4/9/scene-and-heard-piper/
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