In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

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.

No Bodies: Artists in Conversation Panel at Real Art Ways
Patch by Nancy Sasso Janis March 11, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts will appear in conversation with artist Carlos Estévez, sculptor Susan Clinard, designer Neville Wisdom, and curator Alva Greenberg about the No Bodies: Clothing as Disruptor exhibition, in which Dwayne is a featured artist.

La. lawmakers eye regular session start; NOLA library publishes collection by local writers
WWNO by Ryan Vasquez March 8, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts spoke with Louisiana Considered's Karen Henderson about the importance of bringing literature and beauty into prison.

Freedom libraries open in Buckingham County. Where are they?
The Farmville Herald by Staff Report March 8, 2024

Freedom Reads opened 32 Freedom Libraries in Buckingham and Dillwyn Correctional Centers in Virginia on March 5 and 6, bringing the total number of Freedom Libraries in Virginia prisons to 56.

'Freedom Libraries' coming to Buckingham County DOC facilities
CBS19 News March 5, 2024

Freedom Reads opened 32 Freedom Libraries at Dillwyn and Buckingham Correctional Centers in Virginia, and Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts performed his one-man show, FELON: An American Washi Tale, inside at both prisons.

Nonprofit opens 32 ‘Freedom Libraries’ at VA correctional centers
DC News Now by Gabby Allen March 4, 2024

Freedom Reads opened 32 Freedom Libraries in cell blocks at Dillwyn and Buckingham Correctional Centers in Virginia, and Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts performed his solo show, FELON: An American Washi Tale, at both prisons.

Nonprofit Freedom Reads opens 32 ‘Freedom Libraries’ in VADOC’s Buckingham County facilities
ABC8News by Kendal McAuley March 4, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts performed his solo show, FELON: An American Washi Tale, and the Freedom Reads team opened 32 Freedom Libraries, at Dillwyn and Buckingham Correctional Centers in Virginia to commemorate the 19th anniversary of Dwayne's release from prison.

Spotlight: Freedom Reads Social Impact Fellowship
GradFUTURES by Pria Garcelle March 2, 2024

Pria Garcelle, a Princeton University GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellow with Freedom Reads, reflects on Freedom Reads' team trip to Montgomery, Alabama to visit the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice.

How one poet is bringing literature to prisons, and how you can help
WGBH by Jared Bowen February 26, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts spoke with WGBH's Jared Bowen, host of The Culture Show, about access to literature in prisons and how books inspire, fuel conversation, and create shared experience.

Poet and lawyer works to change life in prisons
Spectrum News NY1 by Annika Pergament February 21, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts spoke with NY1’s Annika Pergament about the origin of Freedom Reads, the power of literature behind bars, and his experience in solitary confinement. Dwayne also read from his acclaimed book of poetry, FELON.

Freedom Reads program brightening lives of incarcerated New Yorkers
Spectrum News 1 by Brooke Reilly February 9, 2024

Spectrum News chatted with library patrons at Otisville Correctional Facility in New York about the Freedom Library and how reading helps them imagine new possibilities for their lives.

A look at efforts to beef up libraries in Mass. prisons and jails
WBUR by Simón Rios and Amanda Beland February 6, 2024

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts spoke about access to literature in Massachusetts prisons, the 500-book Freedom Library collection, and the Inside Literary Prize.