About Anthony Payton
Journalist | Criminal Justice Subject Matter Expert | Technical Advisor | Speaker
The Intersection of Experience and Expertise
I didn't set out to become a voice in criminal justice media. I earned it through years of navigating the system from both sides.
As an award-winning journalist, columnist, and criminal justice subject matter expert, I've built a career at the intersection of media, justice reform, and lived experience.
I've reported for the Granite State News Collaborative and Manchester Ink Link, contributed to the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University, and spoken at TEDx. My work has earned journalism and podcasting awards, and I've brought my perspective to projects where accuracy, credibility, and authentic representation matter.
I'm also a Drug War survivor. That's not a footnote. It's a perspective no classroom alone can provide.
My experience informs the work I do with authors, screenwriters, filmmakers, journalists, and organizations seeking a more accurate understanding of incarceration, re-entry, and the people affected by the criminal justice system. Whether I'm reviewing a character, advising on a script, contributing to a story, or speaking to an audience, I bring professional knowledge and firsthand understanding to the conversation.
Who I Work With
Authors and Publishers
I help writers assess the authenticity of justice-related characters and experiences, paying attention to the details that can make a portrayal believable rather than stereotypical.
Screenwriters and Filmmakers
I provide criminal justice subject matter expertise and technical advising to help creative teams understand institutional realities, terminology, procedures, and the human experiences behind the story.
Journalists, Media Outlets, and Organizations
I offer expert perspective, commentary, writing, and speaking on criminal justice, incarceration, re-entry, employment barriers, and second chances.
Beyond the Work
I'm a father, a New Hampshire resident, and someone who believes in the possibility of transformation, not as an abstract concept, but as a lived reality.
I've seen what happens when people get real opportunities, not just second chances. I've also seen how the right story, told with honesty and care, can change how people understand one another.
That's why I do this work. Not because I want to be the face of re-entry advocacy, but because I want to see a world where people like me don't have to be extraordinary to be treated as ordinary.
My work is grounded in three principles: truth, connection, and solutions.
Let's Work Together
If you're developing a story, seeking an informed perspective, looking for a speaker, or exploring a collaboration, I'd welcome the conversation.
Explore My Services | View My Work
I'm also the co-founder of Lock and Key Productions, a separate media and education venture focused on criminal justice, re-entry, and second chances.
📧 Email me: Here
📅 Book a consultation: Schedule here
🎧 Listen to Lock and Key Podcast: Apple Spotify
View my TEDx Talk
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