Inside Literature update:

I am proud to announce that in 2022 Inside Literature will transition our staff-led operations to an endowed excellence fund in the Program in Comparative Literature at the University of Texas at Austin.

Through the generosity of our donors, we are establishing the Kaitlin Shirley Prison Education Endowed Excellence Fund, which will support graduate students in the Program in Comparative Literature as they teach classes at the Travis County Correctional Complex, recruit volunteer instructors, and coordinate teaching schedules, beginning in 2022.

This change might come as a surprise to some of you, and believe me I understand. The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on us all, non-profits are no exception, and I along with the Board of Directors decided to do what is best for Inside Literature in the long term by reaching out to our donors to establish an endowment. This move will ensure that Inside Literature lives on and continues to make a positive impact in the Austin community.

I founded Inside Literature in 2014 and since then I have poured myself into this work. Every course I have taught, every student I have worked with, and every instructor who has reflected on their experience has shown me how important this work is and what a positive impact is has on lives in our community. Inside Literature and my students have changed me, for good and for the better. Knowing that Inside Literature will be housed in the program where I earned my degree and run by my current and future Comp Lit colleagues in perpetuity feels right.

I am beyond grateful to all of you for the support you have shown over the years. Inside Literature could not have thrived without you, and whether you've donated, taught, or given advice, you have been part of this program and you have changed lives.

All that said, I am asking you for donations one last time as we make this transition. Inside Literature could not function without a full library of books for our courses, and since we have given so many of our books to the facility during the pandemic, our stock is somewhat depleted. In addition, we need to add more texts to our library to better represent the world literary canon. Please consider donating what you can. All funds raised will go to the endowment to keep the Inside Literature library fully stocked with texts representing world literature.

Finally, I would like to leave you with a poem written by one of our students that demonstrates the impact Inside Literature has had:

"I want to thank you all for taking the time

To not stereotype us in spite of our life of crime.

It really means a lot for y’all to treat us so good,

I’d give everyone of y’all a substantial raise if I could.

We’re often forgotten and most people don’t even care,

That’s why I’m so appreciative of how y’all treat us so fair.

For the first time in decades I’m positively utilizing my brain,

It’s actually thawing out from years of addiction and pain.

I feel like someone cares for the first time in many years,

All y’all’s care and concern really brings me to tears.

Y’all give me incentive to make something out of my life,

And not let my pasts continue to cause me any strife.

I feel like a student, I love all of y’all’s classes,

Even though for me to read I need two pairs of glasses!

Each class I attend it brings a big smile to my face,

Y’all’s classes are the best thing that happens in this place.

All of y’all are determined and also super smart,

But y’all being non judgmental is what sets y’all apart.

Y’all are literally a gift from the good lord above,

We are truly blessed the way y’all show us love.

Ms. Kaitlin you are awesome we really appreciate you caring,

To us it is priceless the time you and your crew are sharing.

So thank y’all again and I wish you all the very best,

Y’all are the reason that UT is a cut above all the rest."

Thank you all again. I can't say it enough.

—Kaitlin Shirley, Founder and Executive Director

Inside Literature statement on protests:

We mourn the deaths of George Floyd, Mike Ramos, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery with our community. We stand in solidarity with the communities protesting police brutality and systemic racism in our criminal justice system. We will continue to build bridges with community organizations committed to racial justice. We are committed to educating ourselves on and fighting for racial equity. We are encouraging Inside Literature supporters to donate to George Floyd’s family and Mike Ramos’ family as well as the funds below.

·      Travis County Bail Fund [link]


·      Harris County Bail Fund [link]


·      Dallas County Bail Fund [link]


·      Justice for Mike Ramos - Austin [link]


·      Official George Floyd Memorial Fund [link]


·      George Floyd (BigFloyd) Memorial Fund - Organized by George’s sister [link]


·      I Run With Maud - Justice for Ahmaud Arbery Fundraiser [link]


·      National Bail Out Fund - Free Black Mamas [link]


·      Northstar Health Fund - First Aid for Minneapolis Protests [link]


·      Reclaim The Block - Minneapolis Community Safety [link]


·      Louisville Bail Fund [link]



We foster community ties through Humanities.

Inside Literature is a 501(c)(3) based in Austin, Texas that conducts seminar style literature and writing courses in English and Spanish at pre-trial correctional facilities. Our program reminds a traditionally educationally underserved population that they belong to a community by creating connection through the Humanities as a common ground. The study of the Humanities facilitates a mediated approach to sensitive topics like identity, race, and employment. These educational opportunities affect positive change by addressing a problem in our community with a unique approach that is proven to reduce recidivism: education.