This month I’ve had the privilege of participating in a letter exchange with several incarcerated youth about reading and writing. These youth are members of Free Minds Book Club, a nonprofit based in Washington, DC, which organizes people “on the outside” to respond to letters from inmates on “the inside.” The experience has been so inspiring and has reinforced for me just how transformative the written word can be.

Free Minds is based on the idea that incarcerated young people can be “liberated” via writing. Their tagline captures this: “Empowering young inmates to begin new chapters in their lives.” While in jail or prison, Free Minds sends members books, encourages them to write poetry or essays, and generally supports them. Free Minds also encourages released members to give back to youth in the community as Poet Ambassadors.

The events I’ve attended are called virtual letter-writing sessions. Those on the Zoom call are each provided a letter or essay written by a Free Minds member, and we each answer a letter. Letters like this are feedback and encouragement on members’ writing, as well as general support.

I have to admit, I was surprised and moved by the quality of the letters. Those I’ve responded to were heartfelt, thoughtful, and well constructed. This was not what I expected. But one of the biggest benefits of the exercise for me was putting aside my judgments.

One letter-writer was using reading to improve his English skills (his second language). He also sent a poem he’d written. Another had just finished reading An American Marriage, one of my favorite novels, and he offered his reflections on the dilemma the characters were facing, one of whom was incarcerated. I was surprised by his empathy for the other characters. Another said he wanted Free Minds to know he was being transported for a release hearing, but he didn’t want to lose touch because Free Minds means so much to him. The depth and generous intentions of these letters both humbled me and gave me hope. 

Reading has always been a window into other worlds and into other minds for me. I have lived alternate lives, have learned from people I will never have the opportunity to meet, and have traveled to places I could never hope to actually visit. All through reading. The life of the mind is everything. And it was such a bright-light experience to exchange these sentiments with the young men. One, sitting in a cell with a pen and notebook paper, reading I am Malala and thinking about a poem he could write. Another, seeing goodness in a character in An American Marriage, trapped in a no-win situation. Another, facing the possibility of being released after 15 years, still wanting to be involved with a reading and writing program.

Books inspired all of them, and they all inspired me. Hopefully, I inspired–or at least supported–them back. Books. They’re just miraculous.