The inmates wanted to publish a newsletter that would develop healing communication between capital punishment offenders and murdered victims' families, and give offenders a forum to express compassionate and introspective feelings. They also wanted to establish a college scholarship fund for family members of murdered victims. "In no way are the scholarships to the immediate family members of murdered victims meant to atone for the loss they have experienced," Hasan wrote in his first editorial. "Scholarships are…a compassionate gesture to those who have had a significant and unfortunate tragedy befall them."

Compassion published its first issue in July 2001. To date, the inmates have awarded over $60,000 in scholarships. The glossy, eight-page newsletter focuses on positive contributions by death row inmates and their desire to help others. It does not print accounts of individual cases, complaints about prison or the judicial system, or opinions on the death penalty.

Hasan stepped down as editor in March 2003 and was replaced by Dennis Skillicorn on Missouri death row. Under his tenure, Compassion readers were able to gain the insights of some of the positive programs in which death row prisoners can take part. Dennis was involved in the Hospice program, Inmate Council and Christian Men's Council at his prison. He was co-founder of 4-H Life and the works of Set Free Ministry. Dennis also expanded the scope of Compassion by compiling the writings of death row prisoners into the book "Today's Choices Affect Tomorrow's Dreams." This book is distributed to youth in juvenile detention facilities throughout the United States, and its writings encourage young people to be aware of the importance of the choices they make in their lives. Dennis served as editor until his execution on May 20, 2009.

Following Dennis Skillicorn’s execution, Marcus Wellons on Georiga's death row and Abu Ali Abdur Rahman on Tennessee's death row assumed the editing responsibilities as co-editors of the Compassion newsletter.

The current editor of Compassion, George Wilkerson on North Carolina’s death row, works to gather articles and poems from prisoners throughout the United States. He continues the work of Compassion’s prior editors by giving death row prisoners a voice and a way to help restore what has been torn down.

The letters and articles published in Compassion show the humanity of death row inmates, and this is reflected throughout the publication. "Death row prisoners are not the sum of the worst act in their lives, and they have the potential to cultivate and achieve good," Moor said. "Many prisoners express that Compassion has helped them in moving forward in a positive direction, and through their writings, many are able to help others."