Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Expanding Access to Reading at South Woods State Prison
Posted on 12/23/2025
The New Jersey Department of Corrections has expanded its partnership with Freedom Reads, opening 27 new libraries inside housing units across South Woods State Prison. The new installations place books directly where people live, making reading a visible and accessible part of daily life.
With this expansion, more than 60 Freedom Reads libraries have now been opened across New Jersey Department of Corrections facilities in 2025. The work builds on earlier installations at Northern State Prison and Edna Mahan Correctional Facility and reflects a continued focus on providing consistent access to educational and literary resources.
Each library includes a carefully curated collection spanning fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, and contemporary literature. By embedding these collections within housing units, the program encourages daily engagement with reading and supports reflection, learning, and personal growth as part of the routine environment.
The expansion at South Woods is part of a broader collaboration between NJDOC and Freedom Reads that also includes ongoing literary engagement initiatives, such as the Inside Literary Prize. Together, these efforts aim to integrate reading into daily facility life in practical, sustainable ways.
By increasing access to books and making reading part of the living space, the Department continues to support programs that promote learning, structure, and preparation for successful reentry.
