Jessup Correctional Institution was the 9th stop on the 2026 Inside Literary Prize Tour, and it was another amazing experience. Twenty-three men participated and had a great discussion about each book. The discussion stood out for the agency the men exhibited throughout the hours we held space with them. They relied less on the outside facilitators for either guidance or correction when the talk had the potential to go left. Respect moved equitably throughout the circle, which made room for any judge to lead at a particular moment and fostered a rich exchange of ideas as opinions and perspectives shifted.
The men let their emotions show and there was room for that. Minutes turned to hours. There was laughter and tears. The room moved closer to the time for things to come to their natural conclusion, and all remained as engaging as at the beginning. There was space for informal conversations between Inside judges and the Freedom Reads team. The conversations were productive; we all left having learned something. I spoke with one brother for about 30 minutes before the formal discussion began and it was amazing how much we had in common. I served 25 years and 7 months and he is in his 25th year. Like me, he is taking advantage of every available positive and educational opportunity. Hearing how he is spending his time was so encouraging. Hearing that he only has about 18 months left on his sentence was great.
After the formal discussion, there was more time to talk, and I spent that time talking with a few different groups of judges. The Brothers Inside were inspired by the fact that some of us have been behind the walls that currently hold them back from the life they envision for themselves. We all recognized that the wall and opportunity are all that separates many of us. So we talked, and we built. What we left with was the knowledge that we all had a hand in building a stronger community that day, and that was enough to leave us feeling fulfilled.
The following day, the Inside Literary Prize Tour went to Maryland Correctional Institution for Women (MCI-W). The visit got off to a strong start as we cleared security quickly and met the librarian who facilitated the weekly discussions for our Inside judges. When we got to the library, it was apparent that the facility and the librarian were serious about reading. Every shelf was lined with books, and the space itself had the look of one where comfort was considered. It was certainly considered for our visit as we sat in the circle of comfortable couches and chairs for the hours-long discussion.
The discussion at MCI-W was different from the previous day's discussion with the men, yet no less engaging, rich with wisdom and personal reflection. In an interesting few moments, one judge said that All Fours saved her relationship, as she was enlightened by how others approach things. Another woman then stated that the book had the opposite effect on her relationship, as it brought her a self-awareness that conflicted with how her relationship was. It was a powerful thing to witness as both women allowed others into their lives with All Fours being the conduit through which their experiences were passed.
The Inside Literary Prize is a beautiful example of why incarcerated readers need to be included in serious literary discussions. The depth of the conversation about the final books at MCI-W was a testament to the judges' approach. The paths that led them to their conclusions were specific to their experiences and highlighted their individualism. Each comment and perspective was colored by education and memory as the discussion was passed from chair to chair. As a reader, I was encouraged by the level of engagement on display as the conversation about each book took its turn.