Patty Prewitt reclaims family, freedom, studies

Missouri Professional Communicators welcomes Patty Prewitt who will speak March 14, 2026, at the St. Louis Artists' Guild.

Patty Prewitt, freed in December 2024 after 38.5 years in prison, will share insights from her journey at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild, 12 N. Jackson, Clayton, Mo. The event, sponsored by Missouri Professional Communicators, is free. It is presented during Women's History Month with the support of the St. Louis Artists' Guild.

Patty was issued clemency in December 2024 for her husband’s 1984 murder in their home in Holden near Warrensburg. Always claiming innocence, she continues to seek a pardon with the support of her children.

She credits Prison Performing Arts and Washington University’s Prison Education Project for championing her development in education and the arts. After earning two associate degrees while still in prison, she will receive a bachelor of science degree in humanities from Washington University in May 2026. A publisher author, her first memoir, “Trying to Catch Lightning in a Jar” (2025, Some People Press) describes the first 18 years of her incarceration, facing life with no parole for 50 years. "Catching Lightning: More Letters from Prison,"is hot-off-the-press and reveals her observations, humor and compassion through letters she wrote, particularly to her family, during the second half of her imprisonment. While in prison, Patty also wrote a children's book, “A Little Person Like You Whose Mommy Goes to Prison.” Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event from The Novel Neighbor bookstore.

Refreshments also will be available. Please RSVP by March 1 to attend in person or access the program by Zoom. Free parking is available in the lot across Jackson Avenue; enter the gallery through bright green doors. Questions may be directed to mpcnfpw@gmail.com.