Freedom Reads

Freedom Reads Freedom begins with a book.

05/27/2026

“Books land where words are needed most.” 📚✨

Hear directly from one of our brothers at South Woods State Prison on how the Freedom Libraries are transforming daily life on the block. From shared discussions to quiet moments of escape, access to literature is building bridges and opening minds.

05/26/2026

Books open doors, but letters build bridges.📬 Allie catching up on correspondence from Jeff, a 2026 Inside Literary Prize judge. Honored to share this glimpse into a vital conversation.

This exchange highlights the profound impact of elevating incarcerated voices in the literary world. Because It’s a beautiful testament to the community being built through literature, one letter at a time. ❤️

05/25/2026

March Forth is at Tribeca25 this year. The documentary is about Freedom Reads Founder and CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts and it is truly great. The premiere is June 8th at Tribeca25 and of course it is sold out (don’t let that stop you from getting tickets though). There are additional screenings as well so get yourself a ticket and be prepared to cry and laugh before it’s over. The whole time you’ll be thinking. Don’t miss it.

05/22/2026

The land, the earth, the mother. 🌲✨

In Northern Sámi, the word Ædnan holds all three meanings. Linnea Axelsson’s breathtaking novel-in-verse—shortlisted for the 2026 Inside Literary Prize—chronicles a century of colonial trauma, resilience, and survival through the eyes of two Indigenous Sámi families.

Written in sparse, stunning poetic fragments by Linnea Axelsson and translated beautifully by Saskia Vogel, it is an unforgettable testament to the endurance of language and heritage. Massive congratulations to the author and translator on this well-deserved recognition! 📚⚖️

05/21/2026

May is Get Caught Reading Month. So go out and get caught. Reading is living.

05/20/2026

South Woods State Prison in New Jersey. We went for the second time and came away with some amazing first-time experiences.

05/19/2026

Why does Freedom Reads bring books into prisons? Watch and see.

05/18/2026

The trip back to New Jersey led to some amazing conversations and Freedom Reads is going to share them with you. We look forward to sharing them with you. Let us know what you think in the comments section. Thank you.

05/18/2026

Juan spoke about seeing Reginald Dwayne Betts and feeling something shift a spark, a widening of what felt possible.
On March 4th at San Quentin, I had the honor of standing in that same current with him.

What he’s building now carries that spark forward: quiet, powerful, undeniable.
A reminder that even in the most confined spaces, imagination still moves, still reaches, still remakes the world.

Grateful to witness it. Grateful to share the room. Grateful for the work of Freedom Reads that makes these moments possible.

05/18/2026

Freedom Reads is all about going back to give back. We went back to South Woods State Prison in New Jersey recently and had an amazing experience. Some of which was captured in the interviews that we were able to do with some of the Brothers Inside. So glad to be able to share those moments with you all.

Address

Jersey City, NJ
07304

Website

https://donate.freedomreads.org/forms/donate

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Freedom Reads posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Freedom Reads:

Shortcuts

Share

Category