In the Media

Highlights of Freedom Reads and its work in the media.

A Dallas bookstore owner wanted to engage inmates in reading. A national book prize was the result
KERA News by Jerome Weeks December 5, 2023

Lori Feathers, co-owner of Interabang Books, discusses the inspiration for the Inside Literary Prize launched by Freedom Reads, the National Book Foundation, and the Center for Justice Innovation.

A New Literary Prize Taps a Jury Living Behind Bars
The New York Times by Wilson Wong December 4, 2023

Freedom Reads, the National Book Foundation, and the Center for Justice Innovation launch the Inside Literary Prize, the nation's first literary award judged by currently incarcerated readers and bequeathed onto the "dopest book of the year."

New Book Award To Be Judged By Prison Inmates
Kirkus Reviews by Michael Schaub December 4, 2023

Freedom Reads, the National Book Foundation, and the Center for Justice Innovation, with support from Lori Feathers, launched the Inside Literary Prize, the first US-based book award to be judged exclusively by currently incarcerated people.

Lighting the Way
American Libraries Magazine by Allison Sivak November 1, 2023

Randall Horton, Co-Founder of Radical Reversal, and Reginald Dwayne Betts, Founder of Freedom Reads, discuss their work, censorship, and access to literature in prisons.

Three Yalies honored with Alumni Association Public Service Awards for community impact
Yale Daily News by Landon Bishop October 31, 2023

Reginald Dwayne Betts, Freedom Reads Founder & CEO, received the Yale Alumni Association Public Service Award along with two other alums.

How Two Social Innovation Interns Made Their Mark at Freedom Reads, a Startup Nonprofit
TSAI City Yale by Lisa Beebe September 19, 2023

Yale students and social innovation interns Meara and Ana reflect on their internship experience at Freedom Reads.

Morgan Stanley and the Centri Tech Foundation Announce Winners of the 2023 Social Justice Innovation Awards
Morgan Stanley September 19, 2023

Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts received Morgan Stanley and Centri Tech Foundation’s 2023 Social Justice Innovation Award, recognizing innovative approaches to complex societal issues.

“I Always Wanted to Be a Witness”: Dwayne Betts on House of Unending
Interview Magazine by Malik Peay September 14, 2023

Reginald Dwayne Betts, Freedom Reads Founder & CEO, discusses his new album of poems, House of Unending, and the loneliness associated with incarceration.

Longform Episode 549: Reginald Dwayne Betts
Vox Media by Aaron Lammer, Max Linsky, and Evan Ratliff September 13, 2023

The Longform podcast chats with Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts about his time inside, poetry and writing, and the origin of Freedom Reads.

Good Writing in a Bad Place: How One Incarcerated Writer Feeds His Craft
Literary Hub by Robert Lee Williams August 28, 2023

Robert Lee Williams recounts his journey at Sullivan Correctional Facility to hone his literary craft by reconstructing his own Freedom Library.

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.