About

About Me #

My name is Mustafa Davidson — most people call me Paulie, some know me as Meaningful Mustafa. I’m incarcerated at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, where I graduated from Mercy University through Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison, studying writing and psychology.

I’m also a trained facilitator with the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), working with others to build conflict resolution skills and cultivate healthier ways of coping.

I believe in the power of words to illuminate, to challenge, and to connect us across every kind of distance. Writing is how I make sense of the world and my place in it. Psychology helps me understand why we are the way we are — and how we can grow.

Speaking #

In 2024, I presented “Cultivating Coping Skills” at Hudson Link’s Beyond the Block event at Sing Sing — an annual showcase where incarcerated scholars share their voices through writing, music, and public speaking.

Mustafa with fellow scholars and facilitators at Sing Sing — With fellow scholars and facilitators at Sing Sing — the community this work is built on.

This Site #

This is my personal corner of the internet. Here you’ll find essays on topics I care about: identity, justice, growth, coping, the life of the mind, and the craft of writing itself.

Get in Touch #

If my work resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you. There are several ways to connect:

Send a Message #

You can send me a secure electronic message through JPay. Create a free account, select New York and Sing Sing Correctional Facility, and search for me by last name Davidson (DIN: 14A2276). Each message costs one stamp (~$0.12). I receive 4 free stamps per month to reply.

You can also use the Securus Online portal or the Securus mobile app (iOS / Android).

Phone Calls #

As of August 2025, all phone calls from New York State prisons are free. No setup or account is needed on your end — I can call you directly. If you’d like to receive a call, send me your phone number via JPay or mail.

Video Visits #

Video visits are available through JPay Video Connect at $12.50 per 30-minute session. You’ll need a JPay account and a device with a camera.

Visit in Person #

Visiting at Sing Sing takes place Monday through Friday, 8:15 AM - 3:00 PM (you must arrive by 2:00 PM). Weekend and holiday visits rotate based on the last digit of the DIN — call (914) 941-0108 for the current schedule. Up to three adult visitors are allowed per session.

Send Mail #

You can write to me at:

Paul Davidson, 14A2276 Sing Sing Correctional Facility 354 Hunter Street Ossining, NY 10562-5442

Use a plain envelope with blue or black ink. Letters and photographs are welcome (no Polaroids). Include your return address. All mail is opened and inspected.