I stumbled upon Freedom Reads Founder Reginald Dwayne Betts’ book, FELON, in a random room at Cybulski Correctional Institution in Enfield, Connecticut. I talked about the book with my now colleague, Steven Parkhurst, while we were both on the inside. Steve talked about potentially speaking with Dwayne soon and I talked about what amazing work Freedom Reads was doing. We both talked about how thrilling it would be to work for an organization like that.
Last year on April 17th, I was released from prison. I woke up on that day still feeling all of the feelings in my chest as to how it would feel to walk out of prison and leave the men that I cemented relationships with on the inside.
Coincidences are funny. I wrote to Freedom Reads during my incarceration, penning a letter to Dwayne and to Steven, who was released before me and had started working with Freedom Reads. The end of the letter went as follows:
“I included a letter for R.D. Betts too. I would love to introduce myself formally. Maybe there’s a spot for me when I’m released - God-willing, this February. I'd love to help out however I can. Take care of yourself. Many blessings.”
It’s been a little over a year since I was released. I became employed with Freedom Reads on October 3rd, 2023. I have had the immense pleasure of working with guys that I did time with and meeting new people that are passionate about bringing the power of literature into prisons across the country.
Reading was crucial to me on the inside. We were constantly on lockdown because of the pandemic, and the only way to properly escape was through books. After reading a book, I’d take everything that I learned about the book and share it with the guys who looked out for me on the inside. Now, it’s what I get to do as a career. To bring books to our library patrons on the inside.
On April 4th, I was able to attend my first library opening with the Freedom Reads team at Arkansas Valley Correctional Center in Ordway, Colorado. If you were to ask me a year ago whether I would ever be back in a prison doing the work that Freedom Reads does, I would have laughed. But, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Bringing joy and literature to the inside is necessary, and I am grateful and honored to be working to help make the lives of the men and women on the inside a little better. Follow this journey with us and write to us to get our monthly newsletter!
Sending light,
David Perez Jr