Freedom Reads, the National Book Foundation, and the Center for Justice Innovation have joined forces to introduce the groundbreaking “Inside Literary Prize,” an initiative aimed at enriching the lives of currently incarcerated individuals by providing them access to acclaimed literature. This unique literary award, the first of its kind in the United States, will be exclusively judged and awarded by incarcerated individuals and will culminate in the announcement of the winner in June 2024.
“Reading literature and poetry throughout my nearly nine years in prison played an enormous role in shaping the person I am today.”
Reginald Dwayne Betts, Freedom Reads Founder
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Reginald Dwayne Betts, Founder & CEO of Freedom Reads, expressed the profound impact of literature on his own life, saying, “Reading literature and poetry throughout my nearly nine years in prison played an enormous role in shaping the person I am today.” He continued, “Through the reading and judging of leading American literary works, the Inside Literary Prize competition will provide a national platform for incarcerated individuals to meaningfully participate in our shared national cultural conversation […] Freedom begins with a book.”
Inside Literary Prize: empowering incarcerated voices
The Inside Literary Prize will engage a jury of 300 incarcerated individuals from a dozen prisons located in six states, including both men’s and women’s facilities. Over the coming months, 25 judges at each prison will be provided with copies of four National Book Award-honoured books. Freedom Reads will also supply additional sets of these books for circulation within the prison libraries and for correctional staff.
Furthermore, Inside Literary Prize organisers will visit each prison during the spring of 2024 to facilitate live discussions, oversee the voting process, and host literary readings featuring acclaimed authors previously honoured by the National Book Awards.
Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, stressed the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Inside Literary Prize fosters meaningful dialogue around some of the most exceptional books of our time.” She added, “The National Book Foundation is proud to continue our partnership with Freedom Reads around this new initiative with the Center for Justice Innovation and Lori Feathers, which furthers our commitment to connect readers across the country with National Book Award–honored authors and their work.”
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Lori Feathers, literary podcaster and co-owner of Interabang Books, shared her enthusiasm for the project, saying, “It is inspiring to partner with correctional facilities around the country to launch this literary prize that honors how engaging with great books can both build community and facilitate a deeper appreciation of our shared human experience.”
Courtney Bryan, Executive Director of the Center for Justice Innovation, expressed support for the Inside Literary Prize, stating, “The Center for Justice Innovation is committed to elevating the voices of those impacted by the legal system and building safe, strong, just communities. The Inside Literary Prize uses the power of books to support the dignity of those who are incarcerated, valuing their insight and celebrating our shared humanity.”
The selection of books eligible for the inaugural prize was determined by a Selection Committee, consisting of incarcerated readers, writers, and Departments of Corrections librarians. The committee chose four outstanding books from the list of Finalists for the 2022 National Book Awards:
- Tess Gunty, “The Rabbit Hutch“ (Alfred A. Knopf / Penguin Random House)
- Jamil Jan Kochai, “The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories” (Viking Books / Penguin Random House)
- Imani Perry, “South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation” (Ecco / HarperCollins Publishers)
- Roger Reeves, “Best Barbarian“ (W. W. Norton & Company)
Transformative power of books: inmates as judges and readers
Meanwhile, Courtney Quillen, a currently incarcerated member of the Selection Committee, shared her delight in the experience, stating, “The experience was a wonderful one. The thrill of exciting new books is one we cherish.”
Corinne Leone, Director of New York State Correctional Library Services Library Services, who also served on the Selection Committee, expressed her passion for reading, saying, “I wish I could read all day, lately.”
“Books were my salvation in prison. They enabled me to think better about myself and the world.”
Dempsey
Dempsey, a formerly incarcerated writer and member of the Selection Committee, emphasised the transformative power of books during incarceration, saying, “Books were my salvation in prison. They enabled me to think better about myself and the world.” Dempsey continued, “In essence, I view the Freedom Reads agenda as a gift the way literature is a gift. An eternal gift that leads one on an exploration into the highest and lowest levels of the human spirit, of the imagination, and of the heart.”
The Inside Literary Prize represents a powerful step toward promoting access to literature and fostering a sense of community and growth among incarcerated individuals, further affirming the transformative potential of books. The winner of the inaugural prize will be eagerly awaited by readers both inside and outside prison walls, and the impact of this initiative promises to be enduring and profound.