In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

National Nonprofit Partners with University to Open Libraries in New Jersey Prisons
Town Topics by Anne Levin May 22, 2024

With supports from Princeton University Library, Freedom Reads opened 9 Freedom Libraries in cellblocks at Garden State Correctional Facility in New Jersey.

First 'Freedom Libraries' in NJ Open at Garden State Correctional Facility
TAPintoBordentown by Elizabeth A Meyers May 19, 2024

Freedom Reads, with support from the Princeton University Library, opened 9 Freedom Libraries in Garden State Correctional Facility in New Jersey.

Inmates tell their own stories to bridge the gap to the outside world
Cardinal News by Grace Mamon May 15, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts was among 28 speakers at the first TEDx Talk event held inside a Virginia prison — about 20 of the speakers were currently incarcerated at the prison.

Literature To Life Adds I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER To Its Roster
Broadway World by A.A. Cristi May 15, 2024

Freedom Reads is partnering with Literature to Life to co-produce an adaptation of I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez.

CT nonprofit receives $400,000 grant to build more small libraries in prisons
CT Insider by Eric Bedner May 7, 2024

The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) awarded Freedom Reads a $400,000 Enterprise Capital Grant to expand and continue Freedom Reads' work in Connecticut prisons.

Freedom Reads donates thousands of books to Virginia prisons
WVTF - Virginia Public Radio by Sandy Hausman May 7, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks with Virginia Public Radio's Sandy Hausman about the Freedom Library, the carefully curated 500-book collection, and why this work matters.

Prison literacy program ‘Freedom Reads’ offers inmate expression outlet
Fox 9 by Rob Olson May 3, 2024

Poet Randall Horton joined Freedom Reads at Minnesota Correctional Facility - Shakopee during the Inside Literary Prize tour.

Marking National Poetry Month with poet Reginald Dwayne Betts
Spectrum News NY1 by Annika Pergament April 23, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts spoke about the power of poetry with NY1's Annika Pergament to celebrate National Poetry Month.

Shelf Life: Leila Mottley
Elle by Riza Cruz April 16, 2024

New York Times bestselling author Leila Mottley spoke to Elle about her most memorable reads, and her support of Freedom Reads.

In prison, books were Navalny’s hold on the world. I know what that’s like.
The Washington Post by Reginald Dwayne Betts April 10, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts on how books sustained him in solitary confinement.

Denver will get dystopian in Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s next book
Colorado Public Radio by Ryan Warner April 9, 2024

Author Kali Fajardo-Anstine reflects on going inside La Vista Correctional Facility in Colorado as part of the Inside Literary Prize tour.

Inside Literary Prize Tour kicks off: A unique literary recognition judged by incarcerated individuals
Brooklyn Daily Eagle by Robert Abruzzese April 1, 2024

The inaugural Inside Literary Prize tour, featuring literary performances and book judging in 12 prisons across six states, kicked off in April.