Freedom Reads

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Freedom Reads Freedom begins with a book.

10/16/2026

What does it feel like to sit in a cell with nothing to turn to?

Charles, incarcerated in Missouri, talks about how difficult it was before the books arrived. His story offers a glimpse into what those days felt like, and why having something to reach for matters.

Hear it from Charles himself.

10/13/2026

We go inside and we talk to the incarcerated folks each and every time. We let the people know who we are, why we are there, and what we hope for once we leave. That is what we call a unit talk.

Every unit talk is given by someone that has served time inside. The love of literature is woven into the work we do and the unit talk is the introduction. James Washington gives amazing unit talks and you hear what he believes about them.

10/09/2026

What do we find when we keep looking for possibility?

In his new TED Talk, Freedom Reads founder Reginald Dwayne Betts shares a story that begins with a mango in solitary confinement and leads to the creation of Freedom Reads.

Watch the full talk at the link in our bio.

10/08/2026

Freedom Reads is back in New Jersey with the team and back to opening beautiful Freedom Libraries inside prison cellblocks. Back like we never left (cause we didn’t).

An opening is a beginning and these beginnings are either a continuation of a reading career or the inspiration necessary to start one. At any point one book has the potential to place a life on a different course.

That is the hope that sustains us. Our purpose is to provide the opportunity for a life to be changed.

10/05/2026

Every time that a Freedom Library is opened there are an untold number of hearts and minds that are also opened. That is part of the reason why we keep going back inside. Bringing beauty and joy inside is another reason.

Demetrius is absolutely right in that books bring people together. Sit down with someone you might think you have nothing in common with, and books may be the thing that connects you. Open your mind to new worlds and alternative realities. You never know what you may discover within yourself when you open a book.

09/28/2026

Dwayne Betts ate his
first mango in solitary
confinement.

In his new Talk, he
tells the story of that
mango and the many
things he learned to look
for in prison: books,
friendship, education,
possibility, and a future
beyond the walls.

That search eventually
became Freedom Reads,
which has now opened
more than 600 Freedom
Libraries.

Watch and share
Dwayne’s TED Talk: http://go.ted.com/reginalddwaynebetts

09/22/2026

Bringing beauty and joy into spaces that need it most is our mission. Books are the way to open hearts up to change and prepare minds for the next big step.

09/15/2026

Books are a way for people to connect and September is National Literacy Month. The 2026 Inside Literary Prize brought people around the world together. To everyone that read with us and took part in some way: Thank you.

09/09/2026

2026 Inside Literary Prize judges shared parts of themselves with us and it is much appreciated. Reggie talks about his personal growth and talks about All Fours by Miranda July (Miranda July) being something he related to. We are constantly reminded that books are a great way for us to connect with others. They can also be conduits for us to find our true selves.

09/03/2026

The 2026 Inisde Literary Prize Awards Ceremony is happening today at 6:15pm and you are invited to join us: LIVE.

No matter where you are, you can be part of this special moment.

Watch the livestream as we celebrate the 5 finalists and the winning title while acknowledging the incarcerated judges that spent months reading and discussing the books before deciding which book the world, you, need to read most.

https://freedomreads.org/inside-literary-prize/2026-streaming

Tell your friends. Share the link. Join us as we celebrate the writers and judges at the heart of the Inside Literary Prize.

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Jersey City, NJ
07304

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