Empowering incarcerated youths to write new chapters in their lives.
Free Minds uses the transformative tools of books, writing, and peacebuilding to create a community of support, assisting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youths and adults to achieve their education, career, and life goals, write new chapters in their lives, and become powerful voices for change.
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News & Events
Leslye Penelope Visits Women’s Book Club at the DC Jail
In December, the Free Minds Women’s Book Club (WBC) held at the DC Jail hosted a special guest, Leslye Penelope, author of The Monsters We Defy. Penelope is a Maryland native and accomplished writer with 14 published works. She brought her story to life for the women of the book club, sharing the magic and history behind The Monsters We Defy, a historical fantasy novel set in 1920s Washington, D.C.
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Featured Poem
It’s Time
It’s time for me to go home
It’s time for me to pray
It’s time for me to think
It’s time for me to say

Our Impact in 2024
1,600
MEMBERS SERVED
97%
EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION PLACEMENT RATE
1,194
POEMS WRITTEN
8%
Recidivism rate
IN THE PRESS
