In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

Finding Freedom Through the Power of the Page
The Provincetown Independent by Abbey Dwight July 20, 2022

A look into Reginald Dwayne Betts’ story, poetry, and the founding of Freedom Reads.

Dwayne Betts on his mission: Living a life of second chances
CBS Sunday Morning by Erin Moriarty July 10, 2022

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts gives an account of his life and how taking a second chance on himself led him on the path to founding Freedom Reads.

From the archives: Author and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts on the power of books
MPR News by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon July 5, 2022

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks about the work of Freedom Reads and the power of books to confront what prison does to the spirit.

‘Our Access Point to the Humanity We Cannot Touch’
American Libraries Magazine by Terra Dankowski June 26, 2022

Reginald Dwayne Betts, Freedom Reads Founder & CEO, participated in the ALA’s discussion on "Defending the Fifth Freedom: Protecting the Right to Read for Incarcerated Individuals."

Luis J. Rodriguez, Reginald Dwayne Betts among winners of L.A. Times Book Prizes
USC Today by Alison Farias April 23, 2022

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts won the Innovator’s Award for his work advocating for increased access to books, writers, and performing artists in prison.

This road to redemption began with a poetry book slipped under a prison cell door
Washington Examiner by Salena Zito April 17, 2022

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts details the origin of Freedom Reads, which began with a book of poetry.

Freedom Library exhibit highlights Reginald Dwayne Betts' work bringing books inside prisons
WBUR by Tonya Mosley & Samantha Raphelson March 23, 2022

Here and Now interviews Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts on the design and function of the Freedom Library, featured at a National Building Museum exhibit.

'Freedom Libraries' aim to transform prisons 500 books at a time
The Washington Post by Jasmine Hilton March 16, 2022

Freedom Reads’ signature Freedom Library is featured at the National Building Museum’s “Justice is Beauty” exhibit.

Two stories from Louisiana prisons: A cause for alarm and a pathway toward empowerment
WWNO by Karen Henderson & Alana Schreiber March 14, 2022

Karen Henderson interviews Beth Schwartzapfel on the findings of a recent ProPublica investigation and Reginald Dwayne Betts on his journey towards founding Freedom Reads.

He went from prison to a MacArthur Fellow. Here's how he's trying to help Louisiana inmates
The Advocate by Jacqueline DeRobertis March 2, 2022

Troy Barnes, a carpenter who helps build Freedom Libraries, reflects on returning to Louisiana State Penitentiary with the Freedom Reads team to open a Freedom Library.

Is There Such a Thing as Black Thought?
The New York Times by Reginald Dwayne Betts February 24, 2022

A deep dive into the life and work of Tariq Trotter, and a look into his current project, a musical reimagination of George S. Schuyler’s satirical novel “Black No More.”

Freedom Libraries Open in Two Louisiana Prisons
L'Observateur February 21, 2022

Freedom Reads opened two Freedom Libraries in Louisiana, one at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola and the other at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center.