Reginald Dwayne Betts

Reginald Dwayne Betts, a Yale Law graduate and MacArthur Fellow, discusses his journey from prison to poet and advocate. He emphasizes the power of literature in transforming lives through his nonprofit, Freedom Reads, which builds libraries in prisons. Betts shares personal stories of how reading Dostoevsky and other authors helped him navigate moral dilemmas during incarceration. He also reflects on the emotional challenges of reintegration into society and the ongoing battle against imposter syndrome, highlighting the importance of second chances.

Reginald Dwayne Betts, a MacArthur Fellow and founder of Freedom Reads, shares his inspiring journey from an eight-year prison sentence to becoming a celebrated poet and Yale Law graduate. He discusses the vital role that prison libraries play in fostering hope and community among inmates. Betts highlights how literature can transform lives and emphasizes the importance of educational programs and mentorship in rehabilitation. He dives into the complexities of survivor's guilt and reflects on the mental health challenges faced by those reintegrating into society.

This ‘Essay on Reentry’ charts life after prison: and the way that others keep your sentence alive even when you’re wishing to just get on with your own life. It’s about secrets and choice and disclosure. And in the midst of all this, there is also love between a son and his dad, a son like a “straggling angel, / lost from his pack finding a way to fulfill his / duty.”Reginald Dwayne Betts is the author of a memoir and three books of poetry. His memoir, A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison, was awarded the 2010 NAACP Image Award for non-fiction. His books of poetry are Shahid Reads His Own Palm, Bastards of the Reagan Era, and Felon. He is a graduate of Prince George’s Community College, the University of Maryland, the MFA Program at Warren Wilson College, and is currently a PhD student at Yale Law School.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

Reginald Dwayne Betts, poet, lawyer, and founder of Freedom Reads, discusses his journey from prison to becoming a writer. He reflects on the power of poetry to understand and write about the world, and how writing became a lifeline. Betts explores new writing styles, including a piece on guns and the connection between mass shooters and incarcerated individuals. He also delves into the complexity and fear of writing about guns and shares his personal story about Kamala Harris and his mother's rape. Betts explores the concept of being 'almost there' after prison and how it affects claiming success.

Reginald Dwayne Betts, an author and lawyer who endured eight years in prison starting at 16, shares his profound insights on the criminal justice system. He questions the very nature of punishment in America and reflects on his transformative experiences both in prison and as a legal intern. Betts discusses the struggles of reintegration into society, the bonds formed within incarceration, and the stigma faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. His story intertwines personal redemption with the larger societal implications surrounding youth incarceration.