The Inside Literary Prize—the first major U.S. book award judged by incarcerated people—has announced its 2026 shortlist, which includes five National Book Award-honored titles. Launched in 2023 by Freedom Reads, the Center for Justice Innovation, the National Book Foundation, and bookstore owner Lori Feathers, the Prize celebrates and uplifts the voices of readers in prison. As our CEO Courtney Bryan told People Magazine, the Inside Literary Prize “builds empathy and connection beyond the prison walls.”