The Rapid Action Network (RAN) was founded by the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN in 1991. Twenty-three PEN Centers from all regions are currently participating in the network. Its purpose is to alert its members as rapidly as possible to disturbing developments affecting the welfare of writers and journalists around the globe, and to encourage them to respond instantly by writing an appeal and passing the information on to their contacts.

Distributed by e-mail, each alert gives members the confirmed facts of the case; a paragraph stating clearly what PEN's concerns are about the case; a sample appeal; and the address or fax numbers to which appeals should be addressed. PEN Members who sign up to receive RAN alerts are asked to respond to at least one bulletin per month.