“Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s ‘Chain-Gang All-Stars’ was awarded the second annual Inside Literary Prize, the first-ever U.S.-based literary award to be judged by currently incarcerated people.”
Read more: jlusa.org/2025/08/01...
#ChainGangAllStars #InsideLiteraryPrize @freedomreads.bsky.social
Read more: jlusa.org/2025/08/01...
#ChainGangAllStars #InsideLiteraryPrize @freedomreads.bsky.social
August 1, 2025 at 1:05 PM
“Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s ‘Chain-Gang All-Stars’ was awarded the second annual Inside Literary Prize, the first-ever U.S.-based literary award to be judged by currently incarcerated people.”
Read more: jlusa.org/2025/08/01...
#ChainGangAllStars #InsideLiteraryPrize @freedomreads.bsky.social
Read more: jlusa.org/2025/08/01...
#ChainGangAllStars #InsideLiteraryPrize @freedomreads.bsky.social
#InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 is in full swing! 📚
Last week, the Freedom Reads team packed up the four shortlisted titles for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 and shipped them to incarcerated readers at 12 prisons across the country!
Last week, the Freedom Reads team packed up the four shortlisted titles for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 and shipped them to incarcerated readers at 12 prisons across the country!
February 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
#InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 is in full swing! 📚
Last week, the Freedom Reads team packed up the four shortlisted titles for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 and shipped them to incarcerated readers at 12 prisons across the country!
Last week, the Freedom Reads team packed up the four shortlisted titles for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 and shipped them to incarcerated readers at 12 prisons across the country!
Freedom Reads' January Newsletter dropped today! 📧
Check out the 4 shortlisted books for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚
Plus, hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts & read our latest blog by Freedom Reads Library Coordinator David Perez DeHoyos ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Check out the 4 shortlisted books for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚
Plus, hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts & read our latest blog by Freedom Reads Library Coordinator David Perez DeHoyos ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
January 2025 Newsletter | Freedom Reads
Freedom Reads: Inside Literary Prize 2025
freedomreads.org
January 31, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Freedom Reads' January Newsletter dropped today! 📧
Check out the 4 shortlisted books for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚
Plus, hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts & read our latest blog by Freedom Reads Library Coordinator David Perez DeHoyos ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Check out the 4 shortlisted books for #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚
Plus, hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts & read our latest blog by Freedom Reads Library Coordinator David Perez DeHoyos ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
🗓️ Mark your calendars: Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts and acclaimed writer and winner of the inaugural #InsideLiteraryPrize @imaniperry.bsky.social in conversation at the @92ndstreety.bsky.social on June 10!
Join in-person or virtually ➡️ www.92ny.org/event/regina...
Join in-person or virtually ➡️ www.92ny.org/event/regina...
www.92ny.org
April 25, 2025 at 5:10 PM
🗓️ Mark your calendars: Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts and acclaimed writer and winner of the inaugural #InsideLiteraryPrize @imaniperry.bsky.social in conversation at the @92ndstreety.bsky.social on June 10!
Join in-person or virtually ➡️ www.92ny.org/event/regina...
Join in-person or virtually ➡️ www.92ny.org/event/regina...
Watch this opening from the Inside Literary Prize ceremony, where @dwaynebetts reflects on the power of books—and the readers behind bars who chose Chain-Gang All-Stars by @king_nk as this year’s winner.
Full video at the link: youtu.be/ouzt3USAbjk
#insideliteraryprize
Full video at the link: youtu.be/ouzt3USAbjk
#insideliteraryprize
July 29, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Watch this opening from the Inside Literary Prize ceremony, where @dwaynebetts reflects on the power of books—and the readers behind bars who chose Chain-Gang All-Stars by @king_nk as this year’s winner.
Full video at the link: youtu.be/ouzt3USAbjk
#insideliteraryprize
Full video at the link: youtu.be/ouzt3USAbjk
#insideliteraryprize
“My voice mattered.” 💜
Chelsea and Heather from MN Correctional Facility – Shakopee share their thoughts about judging last year's #InsideLiteraryPrize, the 1st US-based literary prize judged exclusively by incarcerated readers.
Chelsea and Heather from MN Correctional Facility – Shakopee share their thoughts about judging last year's #InsideLiteraryPrize, the 1st US-based literary prize judged exclusively by incarcerated readers.
March 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
“My voice mattered.” 💜
Chelsea and Heather from MN Correctional Facility – Shakopee share their thoughts about judging last year's #InsideLiteraryPrize, the 1st US-based literary prize judged exclusively by incarcerated readers.
Chelsea and Heather from MN Correctional Facility – Shakopee share their thoughts about judging last year's #InsideLiteraryPrize, the 1st US-based literary prize judged exclusively by incarcerated readers.
This week, Freedom Reads brought the #InsideLiteraryPrize to Cheshire & York CIs in CT. Incarcerated readers are judging Chain-Gang All-Stars, This Other Eden, On a Woman’s Madness, & Blackouts—proving literature belongs to everyone.
#FreedomReads #Connecticut #insideliteraryprize #2025
#FreedomReads #Connecticut #insideliteraryprize #2025
June 16, 2025 at 8:52 PM
This week, Freedom Reads brought the #InsideLiteraryPrize to Cheshire & York CIs in CT. Incarcerated readers are judging Chain-Gang All-Stars, This Other Eden, On a Woman’s Madness, & Blackouts—proving literature belongs to everyone.
#FreedomReads #Connecticut #insideliteraryprize #2025
#FreedomReads #Connecticut #insideliteraryprize #2025
Congratulations to the incredible authors shortlisted for the 2nd annual #InsideLiteraryPrize, the first-ever US-based literary prize awarded exclusively by currently incarcerated people.
January 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Congratulations to the incredible authors shortlisted for the 2nd annual #InsideLiteraryPrize, the first-ever US-based literary prize awarded exclusively by currently incarcerated people.
Welcome to Season 2 of The Freedom Takes! 🎙️
In this episode, @dwaynebetts and Allie Salazar Gonzalez talk with Paul Harding about This Other Eden—a 2023 Booker Prize finalist.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/74FL...
✨
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
In this episode, @dwaynebetts and Allie Salazar Gonzalez talk with Paul Harding about This Other Eden—a 2023 Booker Prize finalist.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/74FL...
✨
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
July 9, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Welcome to Season 2 of The Freedom Takes! 🎙️
In this episode, @dwaynebetts and Allie Salazar Gonzalez talk with Paul Harding about This Other Eden—a 2023 Booker Prize finalist.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/74FL...
✨
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
In this episode, @dwaynebetts and Allie Salazar Gonzalez talk with Paul Harding about This Other Eden—a 2023 Booker Prize finalist.
Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/74FL...
✨
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
Freedom Reads' Feb. Newsletter dropped today! 📧
Hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts about our team trip to Alabama. Plus, read Communications Manager Steven Parkhurst's latest blog about meeting this year's #InsideLiteraryPrize Judges 📚
➡️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts about our team trip to Alabama. Plus, read Communications Manager Steven Parkhurst's latest blog about meeting this year's #InsideLiteraryPrize Judges 📚
➡️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
February 2025 Newsletter | Freedom Reads
Freedom Begins with a Book
freedomreads.org
February 28, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Freedom Reads' Feb. Newsletter dropped today! 📧
Hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts about our team trip to Alabama. Plus, read Communications Manager Steven Parkhurst's latest blog about meeting this year's #InsideLiteraryPrize Judges 📚
➡️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Hear from Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts about our team trip to Alabama. Plus, read Communications Manager Steven Parkhurst's latest blog about meeting this year's #InsideLiteraryPrize Judges 📚
➡️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Earlier this month, the Freedom Reads team brought the #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 to Cybulski and Carl Robinson Correctional Institutions in Connecticut 📚
📸 Tyler Russell/@ctpublic.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social @innovatingjustice.bsky.social
📸 Tyler Russell/@ctpublic.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social @innovatingjustice.bsky.social
May 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Earlier this month, the Freedom Reads team brought the #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 to Cybulski and Carl Robinson Correctional Institutions in Connecticut 📚
📸 Tyler Russell/@ctpublic.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social @innovatingjustice.bsky.social
📸 Tyler Russell/@ctpublic.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social @innovatingjustice.bsky.social
Read more about the #InsideLiteraryPrize, and find out the 2025 shortlist 📚 freedomreads.org/showing-up/i...
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
Inside Literary Prize | Freedom Reads
The first major US literary prize awarded by incarcerated people.
freedomreads.org
March 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Read more about the #InsideLiteraryPrize, and find out the 2025 shortlist 📚 freedomreads.org/showing-up/i...
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
As #InsideLiteraryPrize judge Joey R. Strizich from Cheshire Correctional Institute in Connecticut put it, “Despite facing systemic challenges, the characters found strength in community and solidarity. "Chain-Gang All-Stars" is a MUST READ!”
July 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
As #InsideLiteraryPrize judge Joey R. Strizich from Cheshire Correctional Institute in Connecticut put it, “Despite facing systemic challenges, the characters found strength in community and solidarity. "Chain-Gang All-Stars" is a MUST READ!”
When we recognize our history, we can find hope and connection 💜
Heather, one of last year’s #InsideLiteraryPrize judges from MCF – Shakopee, shares her thoughts about her favorite book from the 2024 shortlist, “South to America” by @imaniperry.bsky.social, which won the inaugural Prize.
Heather, one of last year’s #InsideLiteraryPrize judges from MCF – Shakopee, shares her thoughts about her favorite book from the 2024 shortlist, “South to America” by @imaniperry.bsky.social, which won the inaugural Prize.
March 27, 2025 at 8:14 PM
When we recognize our history, we can find hope and connection 💜
Heather, one of last year’s #InsideLiteraryPrize judges from MCF – Shakopee, shares her thoughts about her favorite book from the 2024 shortlist, “South to America” by @imaniperry.bsky.social, which won the inaugural Prize.
Heather, one of last year’s #InsideLiteraryPrize judges from MCF – Shakopee, shares her thoughts about her favorite book from the 2024 shortlist, “South to America” by @imaniperry.bsky.social, which won the inaugural Prize.
Season 2 of The Freedom Takes is here! @dwaynebetts & David Perez sit down with Justin Torres, author of Blackouts, winner of the 2023 National Book Award to talk rehumanization, storytelling & survival.
Listen now @ open.spotify.com/episode/2w2c...
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
Listen now @ open.spotify.com/episode/2w2c...
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
July 7, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Season 2 of The Freedom Takes is here! @dwaynebetts & David Perez sit down with Justin Torres, author of Blackouts, winner of the 2023 National Book Award to talk rehumanization, storytelling & survival.
Listen now @ open.spotify.com/episode/2w2c...
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
Listen now @ open.spotify.com/episode/2w2c...
#FreedomReads #InsideLiteraryPrize
Freedom Reads' April Newsletter dropped today!
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on #NationalPoetryMonth.
Plus, learn about this month's Freedom Library openings & the kick-off to #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 in Illinois ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on #NationalPoetryMonth.
Plus, learn about this month's Freedom Library openings & the kick-off to #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 in Illinois ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
April 2025 Newsletter | Freedom Reads
Freedom Reads: Showing Up
freedomreads.org
April 30, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Freedom Reads' April Newsletter dropped today!
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on #NationalPoetryMonth.
Plus, learn about this month's Freedom Library openings & the kick-off to #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 in Illinois ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on #NationalPoetryMonth.
Plus, learn about this month's Freedom Library openings & the kick-off to #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 in Illinois ⬇️ freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
This week, Freedom Reads brought Freedom Libraries and the #InsideLiteraryPrize to Illinois! 📚
We opened 22 Freedom Libraries across cellblocks in Decatur and Illinois River Correctional Centers 💫
We opened 22 Freedom Libraries across cellblocks in Decatur and Illinois River Correctional Centers 💫
April 24, 2025 at 8:57 PM
This week, Freedom Reads brought Freedom Libraries and the #InsideLiteraryPrize to Illinois! 📚
We opened 22 Freedom Libraries across cellblocks in Decatur and Illinois River Correctional Centers 💫
We opened 22 Freedom Libraries across cellblocks in Decatur and Illinois River Correctional Centers 💫
“There is no question that this is the highest possible honor a book like this could ever receive,” said Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, winner of the 2025 #InsideLiteraryPrize for his book Chain-Gang All-Stars.
www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/2025...
www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/2025...
2025 Inside Literary Prize Awarded to Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah - Center for Justice Innovation
www.innovatingjustice.org
July 11, 2025 at 3:05 PM
“There is no question that this is the highest possible honor a book like this could ever receive,” said Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, winner of the 2025 #InsideLiteraryPrize for his book Chain-Gang All-Stars.
www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/2025...
www.innovatingjustice.org/updates/2025...
"...we got to actually judge something other than being judged..."
2024 #InsideLiteraryPrize Judge Alex Capilla at Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville spoke with @kjzz.org's @samdingman.bsky.social about serving as a judge for last year's inaugural Prize 🎧 www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
2024 #InsideLiteraryPrize Judge Alex Capilla at Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville spoke with @kjzz.org's @samdingman.bsky.social about serving as a judge for last year's inaugural Prize 🎧 www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
A literary prize is awarded by prison inmates. This Arizona woman was on the judging committee
The Freedom Reads literary competition announced the shortlist for their 2025 prize. It’s the second year of the competition, which claims to be the first of its kind to be judged exclusively by incar...
www.kjzz.org
May 15, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"...we got to actually judge something other than being judged..."
2024 #InsideLiteraryPrize Judge Alex Capilla at Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville spoke with @kjzz.org's @samdingman.bsky.social about serving as a judge for last year's inaugural Prize 🎧 www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
2024 #InsideLiteraryPrize Judge Alex Capilla at Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville spoke with @kjzz.org's @samdingman.bsky.social about serving as a judge for last year's inaugural Prize 🎧 www.kjzz.org/the-show/202...
Freedom Reads' May Newsletter dropped today! 📧
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on Freedom Library openings and his poetry reading inside Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in New Jersey.
Plus, get updates on #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚 freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on Freedom Library openings and his poetry reading inside Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in New Jersey.
Plus, get updates on #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚 freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
May 2025 Newsletter | Freedom Reads
Freedom Reads: Turning a Dream into Reality
freedomreads.org
May 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Freedom Reads' May Newsletter dropped today! 📧
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on Freedom Library openings and his poetry reading inside Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in New Jersey.
Plus, get updates on #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚 freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Freedom Reads Founder & CEO Reginald Dwayne Betts reflects on Freedom Library openings and his poetry reading inside Edna Mahan Correctional Facility in New Jersey.
Plus, get updates on #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 📚 freedomreads.org/news/newslet...
Stay tuned for the reveal of the #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 Shortlist, coming your way this month.
Learn more about the groundbreaking prize, launched last year and first awarded to Imani Perry ➡️ freedomreads.org/news/press-r...
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
Learn more about the groundbreaking prize, launched last year and first awarded to Imani Perry ➡️ freedomreads.org/news/press-r...
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
January 10, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Stay tuned for the reveal of the #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 Shortlist, coming your way this month.
Learn more about the groundbreaking prize, launched last year and first awarded to Imani Perry ➡️ freedomreads.org/news/press-r...
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
Learn more about the groundbreaking prize, launched last year and first awarded to Imani Perry ➡️ freedomreads.org/news/press-r...
@innovatingjustice.bsky.social
@nationalbook.bsky.social
Congratulations to the authors shortlisted for the second annual #InsideLiteraryPrize, the first-ever US-based literary prize awarded exclusively by currently incarcerated people.
Learn more: www.nationalbook.org/freedom-read...
Learn more: www.nationalbook.org/freedom-read...
Freedom Reads, National Book Foundation, Center for Justice Innovation Announce Shortlist for 2025 Inside Literary Prize
Building on the success and inspiration of last year’s inaugural Inside Literary Prize, groups to bring exceptional books to hundreds of readers in prison; Prize to be awarded in June 2025
www.nationalbook.org
January 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Congratulations to the authors shortlisted for the second annual #InsideLiteraryPrize, the first-ever US-based literary prize awarded exclusively by currently incarcerated people.
Learn more: www.nationalbook.org/freedom-read...
Learn more: www.nationalbook.org/freedom-read...
The Freedom Reads team also brought the #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 to both NJ prisons 📚
As part of the week's events, Freedom Reads Founder Reginald Dwayne Betts gave a poetry reading from "Doggerel" at Edna Mahan, & Caits Meissner, editor of "The Sentences That Create Us," spoke at Northern State.
As part of the week's events, Freedom Reads Founder Reginald Dwayne Betts gave a poetry reading from "Doggerel" at Edna Mahan, & Caits Meissner, editor of "The Sentences That Create Us," spoke at Northern State.
May 16, 2025 at 8:43 PM
The Freedom Reads team also brought the #InsideLiteraryPrize 2025 to both NJ prisons 📚
As part of the week's events, Freedom Reads Founder Reginald Dwayne Betts gave a poetry reading from "Doggerel" at Edna Mahan, & Caits Meissner, editor of "The Sentences That Create Us," spoke at Northern State.
As part of the week's events, Freedom Reads Founder Reginald Dwayne Betts gave a poetry reading from "Doggerel" at Edna Mahan, & Caits Meissner, editor of "The Sentences That Create Us," spoke at Northern State.