PEN America Reports 7% Increase in Jailed Writers Globally, U.S. Included for First Time
PEN America has released its seventh annual Freedom to Write Index, documenting a 7% increase in the number of writers imprisoned worldwide in 2025. The report highlights that 401 writers were detained across 44 countries, up from 375 in 2024. Notably, Iran, Israel, and Russia, all involved in active conflicts, have seen significant increases in the number of jailed writers, particularly due to crackdowns on anti-war sentiment. China remains the leading country with the most imprisoned writers, totaling 119, followed by Iran with 53. For the first time, the United States is included in the index due to the detention of British opinion commentator Sami Hamdi by ICE. 
