In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

Reading Dostoevsky Behind Bars
Freakonomics Radio Network by Steven D. Levitt August 18, 2023

Steven D. Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics, interviews Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts about life and why he believes hope can be found in a bookcase.

The Nonprofit Building High-Design Libraries in Prisons
Surface Mag by Ryan Waddoups August 14, 2023

A look at the hand-crafted, curved design of Freedom Libraries and what the design decisions mean to those inside.

Formerly incarcerated people have become major voices for reforming a broken criminal justice system
WGBH by Callie Crossley August 7, 2023

Callie Crossley reports on the efforts of formerly incarcerated individuals to spearhead the movement for prison reform in the U.S.

How this MacArthur genius is turning empty prison cells into redesigned libraries
Fast Company by Abigail Glasgow August 4, 2023

A vignette of how Freedom Libraries are intentionally designed and crafted to bring not just books but beauty into the constrained environment of a correctional facility.

With 'Freedom Libraries,' teens in Baltimore's youth detention center now have their pick of books
The Baltimore Sun by Darcy Costello July 6, 2023

Teens in Baltimore’s youth detention center receive a Freedom Library and reflect on what they’re reading, the power of books, and their hopes for the future.

CT Poet and lawyer to release spoken word album about his incarceration
Stamford Advocate by Joel Lang June 27, 2023

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts on his spoken word poetry album, House of Unending.

WBAL Report on Freedom Reads
WBAL June 9, 2023

Vincent Schiraldi, Maryland Secretary of Juvenile Services, spoke about the impact of Freedom Reads at a Freedom Library opening at the Dorsey Run Correctional Facility in Jessup, MD.

Books ignite the belief in a positive future
WYPR by Sheilah Kast & Melissa Gerr June 8, 2023

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts and Maryland Secretary of Juvenile Services Vincent Schiraldi discuss the impact of books ahead of Freedom Library openings in Maryland juvenile and correctional facilities.

Maryland's first Freedom Libraries to open in adult and youth correctional facilities
CBS News Baltimore June 7, 2023

Freedom Reads opens 15 Freedom Libraries in Maryland, bringing 7,500 books to incarcerated readers.

Freedom Reads Donates Books to St. Brides and Indian Creek Correctional Center
Virginia Department of Corrections June 5, 2023

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts speaks at the opening of Freedom Libraries at St. Brides Correctional Center in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Former Virigina inmate installs 500-book 'Freedom Libraries' in Chesapeake prison housing units
The Virginian Pilot by Gavin Stone June 4, 2023

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on opening 24 Freedom Libraries inside the same system where he was formerly incarcerated.

The Poet Writing on Prison Underwear
The New Yorker by Adam Iscoe May 8, 2023

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts discusses how he uses paper made out of donated prison underwear to express a truth about the state of incarceration in America.