In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

Dozens Of 'Freedom Libraries' Built At 2 State Prisons In New Jersey
The Patch by Eric Kiefer May 22, 2025

Freedom Reads opened 37 new Freedom Libraries and brought the Inside Literary Prize 2025 at two New Jersey prisons this May.

New Jersey Department of Corrections Partners with Freedom Reads to Bring Libraries and the Inside Literary Prize to New Jersey Prisons
TAPinto May 21, 2025

Freedom Reads opened 37 Freedom Libraries across Northern State Prison and Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in New Jersey this May. The team also brought the 2025 Inside Literary Prize to both prisons.

NJ Prisons Launch 37 Freedom Libraries & Celebrate 2nd Year of the Inside Literary Prize
Morristown Minute by Eric Blair May 21, 2025

Freedom Reads opened Freedom Libraries and brought the Inside Literary Prize to two New Jersey prisons this May.

New Jersey launches new library system for state prisons
Shore News Network May 20, 2025

Freedom Reads opened 37 Freedom Libraries and brought the Inside Literary Prize to two New Jersey prisons last week.

A literary prize is awarded by prison inmates. This Arizona woman was on the judging committee
KJZZ Phoenix by Sam Dingman May 12, 2025

Crystal “Alex” Capilla, 2024 Inside Literary Prize judge and member of the 2025 Inside Literary Prize Selection Committee, spoke to KJZZ Phoenix from ASPC - Perryville in Arizona about what it meant to serve as a judge for last year's Prize and about this year's shortlisted titles.

Our Favorite Books for Every Type of Mom
The New York Times May 7, 2025

Doggerel, the latest collection of poetry from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts, is featured in The New York Times' recommendations on books for Mother's Day.

Can We Offer You A Little Dignity And Candor?
The Pickup by Meredith Boe May 6, 2025

Recap of Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts' keynote at the Tulsa LitFest.

Jazz Poetry Month At City of Asylum / Alphabet City, North Side
WZUM May 2, 2025

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts will participate in Jazz Poetry Month at the City of Asylum in Pittsburgh this May.

Princeton’s ‘Freedom Libraries’ Deliver Books to Incarcerated Readers
Princeton Alumni Weekly by Alison Bowen May 2, 2025

Freedom Reads, with support from the Princeton University Library, opened nine Freedom Libraries at Garden State Correctional Facility in New Jersey last year.

Incarcerated people in CT to judge nationwide book competition
Connecticut Public Radio by Eddy Martinez May 2, 2025

The Freedom Reads team brought the 2025 Inside Literary Prize to Cybulski and Carl Robinson Correctional Institutions in Connecticut last week.

12 quintessential May events, from the Pittsburgh Marathon to the Pierogi Festival
NEXT Pittsburgh by Jennifer Baron April 30, 2025

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts will be giving a poetry reading at Pittsburgh's Jazz Poetry Month this May.

Freedom Reads Libraries Expand at Decatur Correctional Center
NowDecatur by Lindsay Romano April 28, 2025

Freedom Reads opened 22 Freedom Libraries and brought the Inside Literary Prize 2025 to Illinois prisons.