In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

3 CT prisons will get new libraries
WSHU by Sara Anastasi September 30, 2024

Freedom Reads, with support from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) and Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, opened 42 Freedom Libraries in Connecticut prisons this month.

Virginia authors shine at Library of Virginia literary gala
Richmond Free Press by Paula Phounsavath September 26, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts was awarded the Library of Virginia's honorary Patron of Letters degree at this year's 27th Annual Virginia Literary Awards.

National nonprofit opens 42 small libraries in three CT prisons
Stamford Advocate by Eric Bedner September 25, 2024

With support from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) and Connecticut Senators Murphy and Blumenthal, Freedom Reads is opening 42 Freedom Libraries across three Connecticut prisons this month.

Shelf Life: Rachel Kushner
Elle by Riza Cruz September 4, 2024

Author Rachel Kushner spoke with Elle about her book picks for every occasion, and her support of Freedom Reads.

Books Saved Reginald Dwayne Betts In Prison – Now, He’s Behind The Literature Prize Voted On By Incarcerated Readers
Service95 by Seun Matiluko August 21, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwyane Betts on the impact of books in prison, founding Freedom Reads, and launching the inaugural Inside Literary Prize.

Author’s Princeton ties bring N.J. its first Freedom Libraries
Princeton University by Jamie Saxon August 14, 2024

With support from the Princeton University Library, Freedom Reads opened its first Freedom Libraries in New Jersey earlier this year at Garden State Correctional Facility.

Inside Literary Prize: And the Winner Is....
New Thinking, from the Center for Justice Innovation by Matt Watkins August 14, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts and inaugural Inside Literary Prize winner Imani Perry speak at the Inside Literary Prize award ceremony.

Le Inside Literary Prize 2024 est décerné à Imani Perry
Livres Hebdo by Léon Cattan August 8, 2024

Imani Perry is the winner of the inaugural Inside Literary Prize, the first major US-book award judged exclusively by incarcerated individuals.

A book prize picked by prisoners
The Dallas Morning News by Tyra Damm August 8, 2024

The Dallas Morning News spoke with Lori Feathers, Dallas bookstore owner and collaborator in launching the Inside Literary Prize, about the inaugural award.

Inaugural Inside Literary Prize Empowers Incarcerated Readers
Publishers Weekly by Sophia Stewart August 7, 2024

The inaugural Inside Literary Prize, judged by over 200 incarcerated readers in prisons across the country, was awarded on August 1 to Imani Perry for her book, South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation.

Imani Perry Wins Literary Prize Judged by Incarcerated Individuals
The New York Carib News by Mell P August 7, 2024

Imani Perry won this year's inaugural Inside Literary Prize, the first major US-book award judged entirely by incarcerated readers.

Reginald Dwayne Betts, Dungeons and Dragons, and Olympics art
GBH by Jared Bowen August 7, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts joined GBH's Jared Bowen on The Culture Show to talk about the inaugural Inside Literary Prize.