Press Releases

Freedom Reads issues press releases about matters it wishes to bring to the attention of the public.

Freedom Reads Opens Freedom Libraries and Hosts Film Screening in California Prison
National non-profit Freedom Reads returns to California to open 21 Freedom Libraries at the California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino; Titus Kaphar’s debut film, Exhibiting Forgiveness, screened for an audience inside the prison.
Freedom Reads Welcomes Five New Members to Its Board of Directors
The more than doubling of the size of the Board of Directors comes as Freedom Reads’ staff size reaches 20 and the Connecticut-based non-profit moves forward laying the groundwork for significant scaling of its operations
Freedom Reads Opens 42 Freedom Libraries Across Three Connecticut Prisons
This month, with support from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) and Connecticut Senators Blumenthal and Murphy, national non-profit Freedom Reads is opening 42 Freedom Libraries across three Connecticut prisons
Freedom Reads Opens Additional Freedom Libraries in Massachusetts Prison
Today, national non-profit Freedom Reads opened five new Freedom Libraries in Massachusetts Correctional Institution at Norfolk, allowing every incarcerated individual at MCI-Norfolk access to a Freedom Library
Inside Literary Prize, the First Major US Book Prize Judged Exclusively by Incarcerated People, Awarded to Imani Perry
More than 200 people in prisons across the nation voted on inaugural prize; four shortlisted authors heralded at New York ceremony
Freedom Reads Returns to Open Additional Freedom Libraries in New York Prison
National non-profit Freedom Reads to open five Freedom Libraries in Groveland Correctional Facility in New York
Freedom Reads Returns to Open Additional Freedom Libraries in Louisiana Prisons
National non-profit Freedom Reads opens 11 Freedom Libraries across Rayburn and Raymond Laborde Correctional Centers in Louisiana
Freedom Reads Opens Freedom Libraries in Rhode Island Prisons
National non-profit Freedom Reads opens 17 Freedom Libraries inside Gloria McDonald Women's Facility and John J. Moran Medium Security Facility
Freedom Reads Partners with Princeton University Library in Plan to Open First Freedom Libraries in New Jersey Prisons
National non-profit Freedom Reads to open nine Freedom Libraries at Garden State Correctional Facility; Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts to perform his one-man show FELON: An American Washi Tale.
CHEFA Awards $400,000 Enterprise Capital Grant to Freedom Reads to Grow Reach and Impact in Connecticut Prisons
Support will enable Hamden, Connecticut-based non-profit Freedom Reads to open more Freedom Libraries in more Connecticut prisons as it works to ensure that every incarcerated person in the state has access; Launch event at 10 am on April 29 at Freedom Reads Headquarters in Hamden, Conn.
Freedom Reads Opens Freedom Libraries in Colorado Prison
National non-profit Freedom Reads returns to Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility, home of one of the first Freedom Libraries
Prison Tour for Inaugural Inside Literary Prize, the First Major US Book Prize Judged Exclusively by Incarcerated People, Begins Today
Tour of 12 prisons in six states to include literary performances and readings by renowned poets and writers, while hundreds of incarcerated judges vote on the four finalist titles; Winner to be announced in June 2024