Hundreds of incarcerated readers in 15 prisons in six states and territories to vote on four finalist books; tour to include literary readings from acclaimed poets and writers; Inside Literary Prize winner to be announced in July 2025
Next week in Illinois, organizers of the second annual Inside Literary Prize – the first US-based literary prize awarded exclusively by currently incarcerated people – begin a 9-week tour of prisons across six states and territories to lead live book discussions, conduct voting, and host literary readings with acclaimed writers and poets, including Roger Bonair-Agard, Randall Horton, Caits Meissner, and Reginald Dwayne Betts, award-winning poet, writer, and Freedom Reads Founder & CEO.
In December 2023, Freedom Reads, the National Book Foundation, and the Center for Justice Innovation announced the launch of the Inside Literary Prize. The inaugural Prize was awarded last August by over 200 incarcerated judges to Imani Perry for South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation. This initiative, which is also supported by Lori Feathers, literary podcaster and co-owner of Dallas independent bookstore, Interabang Books, seeks to expand access to our country’s most thought-provoking literature for people who are incarcerated.
The Prize will be awarded in July 2025 by a jury of hundreds of incarcerated individuals from 15 prisons in six states and territories – California, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Puerto Rico – to one of the four shortlisted books under consideration: Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, This Other Eden by Paul Harding, On a Woman’s Madness by Astrid Roemer, and Blackouts by Justin Torres. This shortlist was determined by a selection committee of incarcerated readers, writers, and Departments of Corrections librarians, who selected the four books from the list of Finalists for the 2023 National Book Awards for Fiction and Translated Literature.
“The Inside Literary Prize is about many things – creating community and conversation around literature on the Inside, providing a platform for folks on the Inside to contribute to the national conversation around books, and most importantly, reminding those Inside that their voice, their thoughts, and their opinions matter,” said Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts.
"The highlight of the Inside Literary Prize is getting to hear first-hand the brilliant and incisive deliberations of its judges," said Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation. "We're so grateful to our partners at Freedom Reads for coordinating the many moving pieces of the Inside Literary Prize tour, and for the opportunity to introduce readers to National Book Award–honored titles and to center the connective power of exceptional books, writers, and conversation."
"It's really exciting to kick-off the prisons tour for the second annual Inside Literary Prize,” said Lori Feathers, literary podcaster and co-owner, Interabang Books. “Sitting down face-to-face with the incarcerated judges and hearing their different perspectives on these extraordinary books is the beating heart of the Prize. Building community and understanding through books is of value everywhere, whether inside or out."
“When we helped launch the Inside Literary Prize last year, we were blown away by the enthusiastic participation of hundreds of judges in prisons across the country,” said Courtney Bryan, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Justice Innovation. “The nominated books sparked vigorous debate and thoughtful choices, serving as inspiration, a lifeline, and a bridge between those on the inside and those on the outside. We’re thrilled that for the second annual Prize, we’re reaching judges in new locations, and look forward to gaining new insights into this year’s nominated books from our community members on the inside.”
This winter, Freedom Reads packed and shipped out the four shortlisted books for the Inside Literary Prize to the hundreds of judges on the Inside at both men’s and women’s facilities. Five additional sets of the shortlisted books were also sent to each of the prisons for those who are not participating as judges. In addition, copies of the books were provided to correctional staff at these facilities, to include them within the communities of readers. Orientation sessions were held throughout the spring with judges across the 15 prisons to launch months-long conversations about books, the founding principle of the Prize.
About Freedom Reads
Founded by Reginald Dwayne Betts, who knows firsthand the dispiriting forces of prison, Freedom Reads works to empower people through literature to confront what prison does to the spirit. Inspired by the recognition that freedom begins with a book, Freedom Reads supports the efforts of people in prison to transform their lives through increased access to books and writers. For more information about Freedom Reads and the Freedom Libraries project, please visit freedomreads.org.
About the National Book Foundation
The mission of the National Book Foundation, presenter of the National Book Awards, is to celebrate the best literature published in the United States, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in our culture. The Foundation approaches this work from four programmatic angles: Awards & Honors recognize exceptional authors, advocates, literature, and literary programs; Education & Access initiatives foster a lifelong passion for books in young and adult readers; Public Programs bring acclaimed authors to communities nationwide to engage in conversations about books and showcase the power of literature as a tool for understanding our world; and Service to the Literary Field, provides support to the national literary ecosystem. Information on all of the Foundation’s programs can be found online at nationalbook.org.
About the Center for Justice Innovation
The Center for Justice Innovation works with communities and justice systems to advance equity, increase safety, and help individuals and communities thrive. The Center's aims to identify and resolve as early as possible the challenges that bring people into the legal system. Since its founding in 1996, the Center has grown to more than 800 employees who staff dozens of initiatives in New York, New Jersey, and California, advise practitioners and policymakers across the country and around the world, and conduct research and share their expertise with those seeking to transform the justice system. Find out more here: https://www.innovatingjustice.org/