LifeLine to Success

Reflections- How It All Began

2012-01-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

Today I had the privilege of sharing the Word of God with the female inmates in Mark Luttrell Correctional Center. I love being able to go back and share with those that are still “behind the wall”. While sitting in my office, I found the letter that I wrote to my wife on 12-06-03, the night I preached my first message! I was an inmate at the Shelby County Correctional Center. The LeMoyne-Owen College Gospel Choir (LOCGC) provided the music.

While I was away at prison, “on vacation”, I wrote a letter to my wife every night, as a journal. She kept every last one of them. I’ve contemplated putting them together in book form, but I haven’t decided if anyone would be interested in reading it. In the meantime, I have decided to share some of them on our blog. I’ll share that letter now:

12-6-03

Hey! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! I just got back from church. I’ve been nervous all day, so I couldn’t write. I’ve been in deep meditation. I’ve been focused on my message. I love LOCGC and Mrs. Saulsberry. Tonight couldn’t have been any better. Mrs. Holloway even showed up. I want to write, but I’m just full. Mark this day. To see all of those souls didn’t make my day- it made my life. “Boys run in packs. It takes a man to stand alone”. For one night, I WAS FREE! I was right back in the choir. I’m so glad to know my purpose in my life. I have all the confirmation I need. I’ll write more about tonight tomorrow. But, I do want to add to what I wrote yesterday. He (God) has been preparing me since Junior High. I’ve been speaking in front of crowds since 8th grade. It had to be God because my first speech came at a time I had no idea would come. We had just consolidated 3 Junior High Schools together. I didn’t know a lot of people. The second day of school, we were all brought into the gym. Then, out of the blue, they had student government elections. I was nominated class president by my cousin, Michelle. I was up against 3 white girls. Remember, this is Arkansas and I believe we were in the minority. I won. I was President of our class until my Senior year, when I became Student Council President. I couldn’t be President of the class and Student Council at the same time. So I became V.P. It was funny. In 9th grade, I had several opponents. I won by a landslide. No one ran against me ever again. That was God. Mr. Ford, the principal, called a class meeting trying to get anyone to oppose me. NEVER! I had to give speeches to the class all the time. And my Senior year, I had to address the entire school at every event. I’d lead the Alma Mater and the Pledge of Allegiance. I became comfortable in front of people. He was preparing me then. But I ran away. Now I can’t run. That’s enough for tonight. My head is beginning to hurt. I’m too high! It’s almost 11pm and I’m still excited. Thank you for being in my corner. I love you. KEEP YOUR FAITH! GOOD NIGHT!

Why Do We Need LifeLine?

2012-01-02T13:00:00.001-08:00

LifeLine to Success is a very unique program. I use the word program because it is our job to literally change the person that comes to us from a burden on society, one who has no desire to do anything constructive and is selfish, self-centered and greedy, into a person that is an asset to the community and is a positive role model. Our task is to deprogram and then reprogram. This job is not an easy one. Our clients have issues and habits that have been embedded in them for decades. Those issues and habits have become the comfort zone for them. Anything contrary to those issues and habits are seen as negative and unwanted, even though those are the very things needed to turn their lives in a positive direction.

We have had a tremendous amount of success because we love our clients. We aren’t looking for anything from them. We want to pour into them. Simple. The love that we have shown has allowed us to build lasting relationships with our clients and Lifeline to Success has become their new safehaven and comfort zone. That was never more evident that last week, on a day that I canceled class for lack of dedication and participation.

I sent everyone home through a message. I told Stonie to tell everyone to take the day off. When I pulled up, one of our clients was waiting on the bus. He asked me why I canceled class. I told him that I needed him to trust my judgment. He respected that and went on to explain to me why he did NOT want to go home.

“Mr. Brown, I wanna thank you for what you are doin for me at LifeLine. Mr. Brown I don’t wanna go home cause Ima drug deala and I don’t wanna do that no mo. If I go home, um around dope and folks sellin dope. If I try ta hang out wit my old friends, they all doin stuff ion do no mo. I NEED this Mr. Brown. PLEASE don’t make me go home. I gotta new family now. Ya’ll my family and I need ya’ll. PLEASE Mr. Brown, I wants ta work taday.”

It broke my heart to send him home. I told him to pray and hold on to the teaching and I would see him in the morning. He did. And he is still with us. His story is not the only one like that. Most of our clients don’t want to go home. They will come early and stay late. We have an environment that is inviting. They can just come up and hangout.

LifeLine to Success strives to be a beacon of hope for our community. We are a place where you can lay your burdens down. We will counsel you, talk with you, assist in any way that we have the ability. I love what I do. The heart aches and heartbreaks and frustrations are drastically minimized by the sight of our clients reunited with their families and feeling like a part of society again. Gotta love it!

Miss Urelene

2011-12-15T14:51:00.000-08:00

While working in the Hyde Park Neighborhood with the BLIGHT PATROL, an older lady, that had had a little too much to drink came over and asked me, “Excuse me, sir, you don’t let ladies work?” (in her overly exaggerated voice). My reply was, “Yes”. She then proceeded to give me her resume verbally. I asked her how much she would charge me to rake a particular yard. She said, “Gimme $12. As a matter of fact, if you leave me some bags, I’ll rake all the yards you have cut on this street before you come back tomorrow.” So I left her some bags. And sure enough, the next morning, the grass had been bagged.

When she came around that next day, she asked if I would consider making her a part of the team. I asked if she was a convicted felon. She hesitated, not knowing what we do, and then said yes. I shocked her when I said, “Good.” At LifeLine, we are a program first and foremost. So, in order for someone to become a member of the work team, they must first join the program and volunteer for a considerable amount of time. I told her that and I told her to come around and we would try her out. In the midst of that, 3 young men from the neighborhood followed her lead and came on board with her.

Urelene is 56 years old, the oldest client in this class. When she met me 7 weeks ago, she was drunk and she wanted to work to earn some money to buy drugs. She was also homeless and she was sleeping wherever she could, mostly in terrible situations. When she came to work the second day, she was sober and ready for work. She worked hard and proved herself to me and to the team. She was the first outsider that I had allowed our group to be exposed to.

Miss Urelene worked for 4 weeks before she received her first stipend. She was doing great. She appeared to have kicked the drug habit and she was sober. She set the standard in the work ethic department. She was always there and always on time. She outworked her younger male counterparts.

The day after payday, Miss Urelene did not come to class. She was missing. I asked and no one knew where she was. So I went on with me day because I was late for a meeting. As my assistant and I drove down Hollywood, I passed the “track” (short for dope track, where drugs are bought and sold) and I saw who I thought was Miss Urelene walking in the parking lot of the store. I yelled to my assistant, “That was Urelene!” I drove about a block and I just had to turn around. When I got to the store, sure enough, it was her.

She had sat down on a box next to the juke joint. Her hair was in disarray. She was dirty. And she was drunk. When I got out of my truck and began to talk to her, I could feel her shame. I pleaded with her to get in the truck and ride with me, but she refused. She said that she did not want the men to see her in that condition. She cried and told me that she was sorry. I did everything in my power to assure her that she was not alone and that we were there to help her in anyway that we could.

The Blight Patrol has a uniform. It is a lime green T-shirt with LifeLine to Success on the front and BLIGHT PATROL on the back. Our clients take pride in that shirt. Miss Urelene told me that her shirt was in her bag, in another bag, because it didn’t need to be out there on the track. She didn’t say that she didn’t need to be on the track. She had found something to take pride in and value. LifeLine gave her that.

The next day, she was back at work. Since that day, we haven’t had to look for Miss Urelene. She is now sober, and living in the Salvation Army- away from the “track” and all of its temptations. She is a leader and all of the men love her. We were able to give her hope and a sense of purpose. We were able to assist her in becoming whole. And she is now our poster child for what our program is about. She is not shy about her past and she takes pride in the fact that the drugs and her old lifestyle did not take her out. Miss Urelene has also reconnected with her family. I am SO proud of her! She makes me get out of bed. She makes me keep pushing. Her testimony, along with everyone else’s, makes this work worthwhile

The Ugly Side of Ministry

2011-09-16T21:25:00.001-07:00

Ministry is hard work. When the decision is made to work in the ministry full-time, one realizes that ministry is really dirty work. Emotions get involved. One’s compassion is pushed to its limits. One’s heart is broken on a regular basis, by negative actions and by situations that are beyond one’s control.
It is now 10:55 pm. I just left the house of one of my clients. He is a single father of 3 and he has custody of his children. He called me because he was home alone, in the dark, because his electricity has been turned off for non-payment. And that broke my heart.
He is a former big-time drug dealer that has chosen to leave the street life, and he has begun to live the life of a normal citizen. He has decided to put the well being of his family before his own selfish motives. But that good decision has left him in the dark, with his children living down the street with a relative.
I pulled up to the house and it was completely dark. The lights in the house are off, but the street lights near his house have been knocked out as well. He came to the door with his head down in shame. He began to explain to me how the relative that was helping him to pay the bills because he has chosen to leave the drugs alone has asked that he pay half of the bill. He worked for a few days and she knew he was getting a paycheck. The problem is the pay check was not large enough to pay his half of the light bill.
We sat and talked and he shared more with me tonight than he ever has. He really opened up. I tried my best to encourage him, but I knew that after I left, his lights would still be out. He asked me if I could assist him with the bill. I gave him what I could, but it was not enough. The gesture proved to him that LifeLine is really a ministry that attempts to address every aspect of its client’s lives.
While my heart was breaking because he was in the dark, I was encouraged because he decided it would be better to be in the dark than to get a sack of drugs and sell them to pay the electric bill. He has chosen to sit in the dark. He has decided that living as a law abiding citizen is more important than breaking the law to meet his needs. I was so proud of him!
Reentry training works. It is possible to teach a person that is living a life of crime how to change their way of thinking and become a positive, productive citizen. The road to that end is rough and ugly and hard. Success means that an individual may have to suffer loss and swallow pride. Success means that the value of living right outweighs the effects of current circumstances. Pray for us as we work with our clients. LifeLine is a 24 hour, 365 days a year support system for its clients.

A Close Walk to Peace

2011-09-06T07:43:00.000-07:00

Peace is achieved when members of the community come together as an expression of unity to give notice to those that may not have peace on their minds that they are no longer welcome in our community. That is why A Closer Walk to Peace was so important to the Frayser Community.

Frayser is a neighborhood that is in transition. We are attacking all of the things that are not constructive in our community. We are doing that in collaboration, something that has not truly taken place in our community before. Blight, infant mortality, youth violence, domestic violence and other socially acceptable norms are our targets.

I was very moved by the show of force that was displayed this weekend at the walk. It was attended by people that have the access to the resources that our community so desperately needs. They were able to see first hand what obstacles our neighborhood faces on a daily basis.

If you were not there, I wish you could have seen it! There were over 10 police cars there, waiting to escort us on our trek from Ed Rice Community Center on Watkins to the James E. Smith Resource Center on Frayser Blvd (two of the busiest streets in Frayser). As we began the walk, the officers stopped traffic in both directions, ALL four lanes. Then we proceeded down Watkins. As we descended down the hill, all we could see were blue lights flashing. The police had blocked every street and parking lot entrance from Whitney to Frayser Blvd. Someone said that it looked like the President was coming! We had an escort in the front, and all traffic was blocked from behind. The cars had to follow the walk. Neighbors began to look out of their windows. Store owners came out to witness. Even the passers by began to inquire as to what was going on. They had never seen that many police in our neighborhood like that before for a good cause.

When we reached Frayser Blvd, the entire intersection was at a standstill. When we turned the corner, we saw that Frayser Blvd. was secured that same way that Watkins was. The manager at Taco Bell even came out and asked what we were walking for. It was a very good day!

I would like to thank Mayors AC Wharton and Mark Luttrell, District Attorney General Amy Weirich, City Councilman Kemp Conrad, MCS Commissioner Stephanie Gatewood, Principal Bobby White, Pastors Walter Smith, Michael Ellis and Jerry Jenkins, Minister Derek Flake, Elder Charlie Caswell, Steve Lockwood, Peter Abell, Zach Thomas, Christine Grandberry, Lee Harris, Terry Spicer, LifeLine board members Minister Samuel McPherson, Kelly Price, Nicole Gates, Shelly Rice, and Patsy Anderson and a host of others for their participation in the walk.

And to our sponsors: Harold Collins for City Council, Myron Lowery, Lee Harris, Kemp Conrad, Amy Weirich, Peter Abell, Dr. Bill Byrne, Texas De Brazil, The Frayser Exchange Club, Hampton Inn, Rangeline CDC, BoneFish Grill, National Civil Rights Musuem, AutoZone-Frayser, Jewson Enterprises- Austin Texas, Smith Printing & Marketing, W.E.B.S, we could not have done this without you!

I can not forget our staff: Starr, Candi, Renee, Tasha, Andrea, and Marshaye. Thank you ladies!

Frayser is on the move, and we are glad to be a part. Unity drives out evil and makes neighborhoods, neighborhoods. God bless!

Taking Back Our Neighborhoods

2011-08-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

How do we take back our neighborhoods? What steps need to be taken when the youth feel that they are in control and the adults are afraid to stand up? How do you instill a sense of community pride and ownership in a neighborhood that is comprised of renters, that don’t own property and move to new addresses at random?

I received a call from a man that I consider to be a friend yesterday afternoon. It was Sunday and I had attended three services already. I arrived home and I was changing into my relaxing attire when my phone rang. It was Bobby White, the principal at Westside Middle School. It was the first time he had called me and it was on a Sunday afternoon.

Principal White explained to me that his school and the elementary school next door had been “tagged” (sprayed with graffiti with gang signs to mark territory) by a local gang. He was heartbroken and furious, at the same time. He told me that the schools had been tagged on the front doors, in the parking lot and on the sidewalk. He asked me if I had any ideas on how to fix this problem. My only response was, “I’ll see you at 7 in the morning.”

I met with him and I was shocked to see that he did not have on his usual attire. He was not dressed in a suit, he had on black slacks and a black tee shirt. He wanted to send a message. We walked the properties and he showed me the graffiti. Then he surprised me. He asked if I would address his boys in the cafeteria. And he asked for a word of prayer. We were walking with Mrs. Adams, the principal of the elementary school. She asked if I could address her boys as well.

Principal White spoke to his boys as though they were his boys. He let them know that gangs would not be tolerated in his school. I was truly moved by his love for his students. He asked me to address them and I assured them that they did not have to fight. We, the adults, are charged with that. I, also, assured them that we, LifeLine, and the Frayser community cared for them and would do anything to assist them in obtaining a quality education.

I returned to Westside with my “team” from LifeLine. We visited the middle school and then we went into the elementary school and spoke to the boys. We encouraged and put them on notice that gangs would not be tolerated and we shared with them our pasts.

Today was a great day. I say the community step up in a time of crisis. We showed our children that we do care about them. We offered them a sense of security. We even walked the neighborhood to show the gang members that that was not their territory. I told the kids to spread the word that we would not tolerate gangs and we handle them, if necessary.

I am excited about the direction and future of Frayser. God bless us!

Don’t Train Us to Lie

2011-07-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

Today, I was invited to be the guest speaker at meeting for probationers and parolees. We discussed my past and my program. We were having a very candid conversation. Before I left, I opened the floor to questions. One question, in particular, started another discussion. I was asked, “If you are on diversion, how do you answer the question, ‘Have you ever been convicted of a felony’”? Before I could answer, the officer said, “Answer that question, ‘NO’”. And before I could say anything, another person said, “At (unnamed program), they teach us the same thing”!

Needless to say, I was highly upset. We are dealing with individuals that have chosen to go against what society views as normal. They have broken the law and were caught. That shows that there is something in their thinking process that is flawed. We, as trainers, must realize that and then train the to not think that way, presenting them with a different decision making process- one that is not flawed.

I quickly explained to the group and the officer that that was lying- flat out. Diversion, first time felons, and repeat offenders are ALL convicted felons! Diversion is an opportunity for a convicted felon to live trouble free for a specified period of time and if the other conditions are met, that record is expunged. But that only happens AFTER the time has passed. Until then, that individual is a convicted felon.

The reason I was so angry is because I know why this is going on. Programs that are funded by grants have benchmarks and quotas to meet. So they must find ways to gain employment for their participants. The motivation then is shifted from what is best for the client to what is best for the program. This CAN NOT be about programs. It must be about the people. We are dealing with real people, real lives, not numbers. While the employment numbers for the program may look good, it does not reflect the fact that the individual lost that job once the employer completed the background investigation and found the criminal record.

Understand this, the clients that we deal with have been turned down and looked down upon for their pasts for so long that it begins to affect them emotionally. The fact that they were able to find employment removes some the negative self image. There is a sense of accomplishment that goes with finding employment. So imagine what it must feel like to have that taken away because you lied on the application. That person, now, feels worse than before they were employed. That type of disappointment will lead a person back to a life of crime.

In short, by training this group to lie, their negative thought processes are only exacerbated and strengthened! It is our job, as trainers, to teach them that negative thinking ALWAYS brings negative results. We must make negative decision making practices unattractive. This is life or death. Leave this line of work to those that have a heart for the people, not a desire to have a great program.

San Francisco Considers Legal Protection for Criminals

2011-07-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Below, you will find a story that discusses possible protections for persons previously convicted of felonies. While I agree that there needs to be some protections put in place, I also strongly feel that re-entry training MUST be completed before ex-felons are given full access to those protections. We need a restorative justice system that works to equip those in this category with the tools necessary to become productive citizens, while making the criminal lifestyle "unattractive" and no longer an option.

By Claudia Cowan

Published July 22, 2011

FoxNews.com

A legislative proposal in San Francisco seeks to make ex-cons and felons a protected class, along with existing categories of residents like African-Americans, people with disabilities and pregnant women. If passed by city supervisors, landlords and employers would be prohibited from asking applicants about their criminal past.

Supporters say it's an effort to help former offenders get back on their feet, but critics call the concept a crime in itself.

"My mother is an immigrant, my mother-in-law is a Jew and I'm a gay man. Those are all protected categories, but you're going to put a felon in there as a protected category? That's not right," said Andrew Long, a board member of the San Francisco Apartment Association.

But ex-cons contend they're immediately disqualified by employers and landlords reluctant to trust anyone with a rap sheet.

"People don't want to hire felons," says Monique Love, who served time five years ago on a drug offense. Clean and sober now, she says boxes on application forms asking about criminal history unfairly discriminate against her. At one recent interview, Monique says she never got the chance to tell her story of recovery and rehabilitation.

"I didn't get a shot. Not a shot," she says. "As soon as he saw that box was checked, the boss was like, 'I'm sorry, we can't help you.'"

According to The City's Human Rights Commission, San Francisco has the highest recidivism rate of any big city in California, almost 80 percent. With an influx of new prisoners set to be released because of the state's budget crisis, supporters argue felons need legal protections before they're disqualified simply because of their record, which could be decades old and for crimes that have nothing to do with the job they're hoping to get.

Commission Director Teresa Sparks calls it a public safety issue.

"Without housing, it's hard to keep a steady job, and many times because of that, people recommit," Sparks said. She argues a criminal history shouldn't be the only reason someone is denied housing or work.

"All we're saying is get a chance to know them, see if they're qualified otherwise, before you use that as a criteria for taking them out," she said.

Hawaii, New York and Philadelphia have enacted similar policies to prevent blanket discrimination against felons in the private job market, and some cities in Illinois and Wisconsin have imposed such restrictions on rental property owners.

At a public hearing at San Francisco's City Hall this week, some landlords worried that if the policy passes here, they'll face a barrage of lawsuits from unscrupulous convicts.

"Some ex-cons will probably make this a business, going from apartment complex to apartment complex, getting denied for whatever reason, and then filing a nuisance lawsuit," Long said.

Sparks says rental property owners could turn away sex offenders and people who've committed some violent crimes, like murder. Employers could also reject job applicants if their crimes are "significantly related" to the position they are seeking, but they could only inquire about the applicants' criminal past at the end of the interview process.

That doesn't sit well with Gary Bauer, owner of Bauer's Intelligent Transportation, one of San Francisco's biggest transportation companies. He says he needs to know about an applicants criminal history right up front.

"We won't discriminate against anyone, but we need to know what we're looking at. What is their background? Is it grand auto theft? We're running transportation," Bauer said, adding, "Being in California, and in San Francisco, it gets tougher and tougher every year ... when they come down with these things."

Public hearings continue to formalize the legislation, with lawsuits sure to follow, if San Francisco gives legal protections to people who broke the law.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/07/22/san-francisco-considers-legal-protection-for-criminals/#ixzz1TBEJRO33

HARD WORK PAYS

2011-06-17T22:52:00.000-07:00

Today I had the opportunity to assist the Memphis Police Department, along with the University of Memphis Criminology Department in addressing the problem of illegal drug sells in our community. We did what is called a “Knock and Talk”. We gave drug dealers with no or limited criminal records the opportunity to enroll in programs geared toward making them productive citizens. While many may say they deserve to go to jail, I would disagree.

In today’s ride, we attempted to identify 6 individuals. Five of them were males. It felt so good to know that hard work does overcome all obstacles. The Knock and Talk team consisted of several detectives of the MPD, the U of M Criminology Department’s case manager and one intern, a community leader (Charlie Caswell) and me. The team was arranged this way to ensure the potential program participants that this was not a trick. The potential participants were given a letter stating what they had been observed doing. The letter, also, stated that this was not a trick, but a real opportunity to make a decision that will change the course of their lives. They were given instructions on when and where to meet to have the entire program explained to them.

I consider it a great honor even having been considered to participate in this endeavor. I am a convicted felon. Society does not think that I have the ability to change. I am sure there were objections in the planning room when my name came up. But if you consistently work tremendously hard and remain above reproach, the wagon will come full circle. My role was that of a preacher and a community leader. I was to be the comforter for this tense situation. Imagine the Police Department comes knocking on your door the day following a major drug dealer roundup. You would be skeptical and afraid.

I didn’t truly know how much clout is placed one the title Minister until we arrived at one of the addresses and a car pulled up while we were preparing to leave. The target was not home, but his grandmother was. She said that she didn’t know where he was and could not contact him. Before we could leave, a car pulled in the driveway. It was the target’s brother. When the detective approached him, he withdrew and got quiet. Then I walked up and introduced myself as Minister Brown. Immediately, his demeanor changed. He smiled, shook my hand, and promised us he would have his brother contact us. And he did just that.

The one lady that we identified admitted to selling drugs. During the explanation of the opportunity she was blessed to receive, she broke into tears. She realized that her actions could have taken her away from her two small children. She was truly grateful.

Rehabilitation MUST become a priority of our society if we want to reduce crime and make our hoods neighborhoods again. Locking people up only costs money. It doesn’t address the issues that cause the crime. I am glad to see that we are heading in that direction. I am even more excited because I am allowed to serve as an agent of change and I have the opportunity to share with these individuals.

Remember, hard work overcomes all obstacles. Work hard. Remain above reproach. Eventually your time will come and you will reap the harvest from your labor. NO ONE CAN STOP IT!!!

How Crime Begins (Client Responses)

2011-04-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

When attempting to service clients, it is good to have an idea of why they do the things that they do. Many thinkers attribute the negative behavior to a lack of good character. I beg to differ. So we surveyed several of our current clients and asked 3 questions:
1) How old were you when you committed your first crime?
2) Who did it with you?
3) How did you get better at it?

Our first respondent, L.B. answered:
1) I was about 17. I stole money from the safe at the bowling lanes where my mother and I both worked.

2) Me, alone.

3) Over the years, I worked as a cashier. It wasn't that I really needed the money, I just thought it was cool that I could weave and twist things so that they could balance and not get caught.

L.B. was convicted of stealing over $250,000 from her employer at the age of 41.

Respondent #2, G.G answered:
1) I did my first crime when I was about 16 years old. I started selling drugs because I grew up around drugs.

2) I started off with a friend of mine.

3) I was good at math and I had a good place to sell it.

G.G. was convicted of selling crack cocaine on several occasions. He is 33 years old.

Respondent #3, G.O answered:
1) I was 15 or 16 when I committed my first crime, I stole my grandma's car.

2) Nobody actually stole it with me, but I joyrode with a couple of my homeboys.

3) I got better at it by making copies of her car keys and gate keys. I kinda studied her sleeping habits to know when it was safe to get the car and what time I needed to have it back by.

G.O. was convicted of selling crack cocaine several times. He is 28 years old.

The reason we asked these questions is to give us a better understanding of the age to intervene in the lives of the young people we are mentoring. From these 3 cases, you see that all of the activity began before adulthood.

One issue that occurs when asking these questions is the conductor of the study generally has a background that makes the respondent uncomfortable, so the respondent gives answers that are half true because of fear and sometimes because of shame. In our program, we all have criminal records, so there is no place for shame and trust is never an issue.

We are continuing to conduct these unscientific studies, and I will relay the results. We are determined to reduce recidivism!

We Are NOT Animals!

2011-03-10T14:26:00.001-08:00

One of our clients was recently released from prison. He had to stand before the judge in order to be released. I was troubled by the words that Billy told us the judge used when addressing him. The judge told him, “Lions and dogs are in cages. We don’t have to worry about where they are. I know where they are. I don’t want to release you because you deserve to be in a cage. And I won’t know where you are. I don’t care about you. I don’t care if you live or die.” (I paraphrased). Billy then told him that he had a purpose and he would fulfill it. The judge’s response was, “I don’t care about your purpose. I’m just being honest with you.” That was very upsetting.

Where do these analogies come from? What makes people in authority feel as if they can say whatever they want to people they feel have no recourse. We are people. We have feelings. We Are NOT Animals! Some might say that those words are only reverse psychology at its best and those words should motivate the hearer to prove the judge wrong.

The problem with that train of thought is you are dealing with people that generally have low self esteem and they don’t see any hope for a brighter future. So to heap these negative statements onto a spirit that is already broken and the fact that that person is only existing, makes no sense at all! Child psychologists say that negative words from parents will scar a child for the rest of his/her life. If that is true, many of the individuals that go through the criminal justice system came from homes where negativity ran rampant. The only thing tirades, like the aforementioned, accomplish is more despair and the individual leaves knowing they will continue to “get it how they live”.

Our words have consequences. We must understand that. Everything we say matters and will affect someone else. Why not encourage someone to do good, while stating that non-compliance with the rules and laws will have stiff consequences. Motivate. Let’s stop tearing people down and leaving them in disarray.

I am praying for that judge. My judge did me the same way. Things MUST change. We Are NOT Animals!

WHAT IS A “HARDENED” CRIMINAL?

2011-02-17T20:56:00.000-08:00

There is a term that is used to describe the “stubborn” criminals that continue to break the law. But the truth is, anyone that has done time in prison is more than likely a hardened criminal. Consider this fact, no one leaves prison the same way they came in. Some leave better; some leave worse.

Persons that have been incarcerated have found that prison is not a happy place. The premise is that if the conditions are uncomfortable enough, people won’t want to come back. So officers talk down to inmates or are just unfriendly and unfeeling. Things move slowly. Outbursts of laughter are frowned upon because prison is a quiet place, believe it or not. Don’t let what you see on T.V. cloud your perception. The truth is that most days in prison go without major incidents. The hardest part of doing time, is doing time. The same people, place, food, and T.V. shows day after day will drive a person insane.

Men and women that were once the life of the party and laughed at every little thing don’t last long in prison. Too much laughter makes a man look weak. Laughing too loud is annoying because the time weighs heavily on the inmates. If a person is miserable, your happiness is viewed as disrespect. So there is not much happiness behind the wall.

Since officers and staff want to make the conditions unpleasant, they are usually disconnected and they do not treat the inmates as “free” men. They talk down or they ignore requests. Some even engage in disrespect. Things don’t move quickly. That means that an inmate begins to build a shell to protect himself from the uncomfortable conditions. Thus, he becomes hardened. That does not mean he becomes mean, he just appears insensitive.

When an inmate is released, it is hard for those that know him to understand why things don’t bother him. He seems insensitive and uncaring. That is not the case. Prison scars a person. And some things remain with him, even after release. The conditions that harden the person are so much more traumatic than normal conditions that normal things don’t trigger responses or emotions. This makes reintegration difficult, because the loved ones see him as insensitive, but that is incorrect. We feel, we are just equipped to deal with situations. We have been trained that we control nothing. We were told when to do and where to be for so long that the scars remain and when things are beyond our control, we simply accept the reality of the situation.

Most formerly incarcerated individuals are hardened. That does not make us bad people. It does not make us mean or unfriendly. But we do become virtually unflappable. Please do not view that as a negative trait. We are just conditioned that way.

The Battle Has Already Been Won

2010-12-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Whoever would have thought that a bad decision at an early age, could result in an American no longer being viewed as a citizen. After an American citizen is convicted of a felony offense, certain rights are rescinded. Also, there is a negative stigma that goes farther than the rescinded rights, and makes reentry into society virtually impossible.
I took a group of LifeLine to Success clients to the National Civil Rights Museum on Monday afternoon. We viewed the exhibits and watched the video. I have been several times, but this time I was a convicted felon that has been attempting to successfully reenter society. I was shocked by the realization that the rights the Civil Rights Movement was fought for, were the very same rights that have been stripped from the ex-offender population.
In one exhibit, there is a group of statues that are portraying a march. The statues are carrying picket signs. The three signs all had different statements. The issues were Voting, Housing, and Wages. I was stunned because all of those are issues that I face today, as an ex-offender. The right to vote, the right to affordable, descent housing and the right to a livable wage are all rights that an ex-offender no longer is privy to after a felony conviction.
The right to vote is one of the most significant rights an American citizen has. But after a conviction, that is one of the rights that a person loses. “The system” has been notorious for hindering segments of our society as it relates to voting rights. Women and blacks were both denied the right to vote and the fight to change that resulted in bloodshed. It took amending the United States Constitution for those groups to enjoy a benefit that was intended for all citizens.
The federal government will not allow a convicted felon to receive any governmentally funded housing assistance. One of the requirements for a probationer or parolee is stable housing. If an individual has served any length of time, odds are that person will not have a place to live upon release. So how, then, is it possible for a citizen that has been convicted to obtain housing when the government that classifies him as a citizen will not assist him with housing that is available to its citizens?
The last of these issues is not an actual right that was stripped, but it comes as a result of the negative stigma that comes with a felony conviction. Convicted felons lose 40% of their earning potential simply because of the conviction being on their criminal record. Employment is very hard to come by. Minimum wage jobs are now conducting background checks. What is a person to do? Does the American dream die with the conviction?
When will we, ex-offenders that have done what society required, be allowed to be full-fledged citizens again? Yes, we did it. We broke the law. But is there no remedy? Do we have to live as refugees in our own country for the rest of our lives? Dr. Martin Luther King didn’t just march for garbage workers. He didn’t willingly go to jail for bus boycotts only. He didn’t give his life for blacks only. He died for us all to have the rights that come with citizenship to the greatest nation on earth. The battle has already been fought- and won! Why do we have to continue to fight for rights that bloodshed and lives have been given for?

Is Crime a Culture?

2010-11-02T00:36:00.000-07:00

The Criminal Culture

Is crime a culture? Culture is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought. We know that we are products of our environments. Our environments reflect our culture. Criminal thinking is usually learned behavior. So, to become a criminal, there must be some form of education involved. Robbers generally learn how to rob from someone that has robbed before. A forger has to be taught the “art” of forgery by someone that has forged a document before. A person that chooses a life of crime has chosen to learn a negative set of actions and values.

The criminal culture also involves the actions that surround the crime that a person commits. Robbers need customers for the products that they steal. Forgers need a way to find documents to forge. That creates an environment of negative behavior that creates its own culture.

We know that people that are not citizens of American tend to assimilate, learn and use the characteristics and customs of the citizens of a particular region, into the American culture. They learn the language and the customs that the majority of the citizens perform. That also means that they give up some of their customs, and replace them with the customs of the region, in order to fit in and become accepted.

Since crime is a culture, those with criminal mindsets must assimilate into mainstream society, and leave the criminal customs and behaviors behind. They must learn the customs of non-criminals. How does a person with a criminal mindset learn the customs of non-criminals?

In order to learn how to become a productive citizen, and leave a life of crime, a person must begin to associate with people that already have the values and customs that they want to live by. This requires effort. It will not be easy. But it is possible. And, you must be willing to let the bad habits go. You must be willing to learn!

One of the first signs of assimilation is the way a person dresses. We all have seen someone that came to America from another country, and they dress like they did in their native country. Little Italy and Chinatown are examples of regions that are occupied by immigrants that did not want to give up their native cultures. Those areas resemble the native land of the people that live there.

In order to assimilate back into society, you must not allow your appearance to speak negatively of you because the perception already exists that you are not worthy of another chance. You must “dress for success”. That doesn’t mean that you must wear a suit and tie everyday. But it does mean that your pants should fit, and no one should see your underwear. You should look worthy of another chance. Your attire should speak volumes because you only have one chance to make a first and lasting impression. Don’t stack the cards against yourself before you have a chance to be heard.

(Excerpt from LifeLine to Success: LifeSkills Curriculum )

LifeLine is Recognized

2010-09-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

One thing that we stress to our clients is, "Hard work overcomes obstacles". We know that to be true. We were also informed by the President of The LeMoyne-Owen College, Dr. Johnnie B. Watson, that we should "overcome our handicapping conditions" by embracing the very thing that we may be ashamed of. Ownership of it allows us to address it in others and assist them in their recovery.

Our Ban the Box efforts have garnered us international attention by way of Prison Fellowship. Click this link to see how God has blessed.

http://www.prisonfellowship.org/inside-out/io-issue/june-2010/entry/20/15024

The Joy of Transformational Ministry

2010-09-01T08:29:00.001-07:00

When one thinks of prison, usually the tendency is to visualize a dark, desolate place, filled with gloom and doom. Despair, pain and desolation are considered to be the norm. Prison has the connotation of being a place that no one wants to go and no one in their right mind would go there intentionally!

Well, allow me to dispel that notion. Prison is a place that is filled with hope. There can be joy inside the cinder walls and barbed wire. The possibilities are endless. Light does shine on the inside. Sometimes, love, hope and joy are pumped in by outsiders that are called by God to spread the gospel to those that have either strayed away, never been introduced or just need to be revived in the power and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

As a former inmate, I have first hand knowledge of what prison really is. Television has painted a picture that is grossly distorted because if the truth were to be told, no one would watch. Is it dangerous? Sure. Do people get hurt? Yes. Can it be a dark, cold place? Of course. But there is still hope. And prison is the best thing that could have happened to some of us.

Look at a prison. Then, look at a school in the inner city. Both are made with cinder blocks and concrete. Neither have many windows. The colors of the outer walls are similar. The only real difference is the absence of the gates, fences and armed guards that distinguish prisons from all other facilities.

So how is there joy in a place like that? How can hope exist? How can love be spread and shown where so much pain exists and where so much evil is taking place? One way is through the inmate realizing who he/she is and acknowledging the fact that the power lies within them. The other way is through volunteers bringing those things in with them. Darkness is driven away by light and evil is pushed out by love.

Prison Fellowship has begun its Transformational Ministry in Memphis, TN at the Mark Luttrell Correctional Facility for women. We met for 4 weeks, one day a week in preparation for the grand opening event that took place on Monday, August 30, 2010. In our previous 4 weeks, we began building our relationships with each other and our participants. A bond was formed that was only made complete and strong by the power of God.

On Monday, the inmates (I hate that word) presented me and my wife with hand made gifts for our newborn baby. The ladies knitted baby Jewel a blanket, a hat, shoes and they even handcrafted a gift bag. To top it off, they made cards and all of them signed their names. I was almost in tears. I was crying on the inside. It was beautiful. And it was not what I expected. I went in to bring them a message, and I ended up leaving prison with gifts! I LEFT THE PRISON WITH GIFTS! These ladies don’t have jobs. These ladies have VERY limited resources. Yet they felt the desire to be a blessing.

Transformational Ministry is one that brings so many rewards to the volunteer. In assisting others, our faith is increased. In our efforts to love others, Jesus’ love toward us becomes more concrete! By caring for those that society has given up on, God has to bless us with the strength to endure.

There is no greater joy than to see someone finally realize that Jesus is REAL! And knowing that you helped to make that happen gives one a sense of accomplishment and it makes one want to duplicate that feeling over and over again. It’s addictive. It makes life worth living. I love what I do and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! If you haven’t tried any ministry outside of the church, give it a try. The rewards are priceless.

I challenge you to facilitate change in someone’s life. Your life will never be the same.

Ex-offenders: An Untapped Labor Source

2010-08-29T21:45:00.001-07:00

When you think of the word untapped, or tapping, it generally relates to the acquisition of a valuable resource. Its value has to exceed the cost of its acquisition, in order to make the harvesting feasible. The value comes from a well defined market for the product.

Consider oil. Oil is a very valuable resource. Wars have been fought and lives lost over it. Oil exists in places beneath the earth’s surface in places that are hard to find, and even harder to reach. And it is only found by people that are intentionally looking for it because they know the value of it.

After the resource has been found, it then must be acquired, tapped. It takes skilled people to harvest the raw material. That is what the Reentry Service Providers do. We find the resource and harvest it. We break through the tough surface and reach the resource. It isn’t easy and it isn’t cheap, but the value of the commodity greatly exceeds the cost of acquisition.

The Gulf Coast oil spill is an example of the potential danger in tapping. If it is done by individuals that are untrained or by those that do not see the value of the resource, disaster will strike and that valuable commodity will become a natural disaster. It will turn from a valuable resource, to a hazard to the ecosystem and anything in its vicinity.

After the commodity has been located and harvested, it then must be refined. The impurities must be removed, and it must be transformed into a substance that can be consumed. The materials that are taught in our classes do just that. Our lessons remove the negative thinking of our clients and replace it with the tools that are necessary to succeed.

Our job, the Reentry Service Provider, is to locate the commodity, harvest it, refine it and get it to a gas station near you, so that it can be consumed. Oil on a tanker does no one any good. But after it has gone through the cycle, it then becomes one of the world’s most sought after materials.

Ex-offenders are just like oil. They are a group with much potential. After completing a program, they then become a valuable commodity. But society must be informed of the value. We must find innovative ways to market our product and find innovative uses for our product. The possibilities are endless. Let’s make it happen!

Is the Debt Ever Paid?

2010-08-15T21:01:00.001-07:00

There is a common saying among people that have been released from prison, back into society. They say, “I have paid my debt to society”. The feeling is, since the sentence that was imposed by the judge has been satisfied, consequently, the debt has been satisfied. The sentence is viewed as the payment for the harm that has been done to society by the individual.

Where did that idea originate? In my days, I have never found out who I actually paid. If I could find them, I would ask them this question, “is the debt ever paid?” During the sentencing phase in a criminal court room, the sentencing judge will read a list of reasons for a defendant to consider before entering a plea of guilty. Nowhere in that list does it mention that, “You will not be able to find a job”, “You will no longer qualify for government subsidized housing”, “You will be viewed as a menace to society and an outcast for the rest of you natural life”. Had a judge told me those things, I never would have pled guilty.

What is the purpose of prison? Is it to punish the individual for the crime? Is it to rehabilitate the individual and make him a positive influence on society? Is it to make the general public safer by removing the troublemaker from society? We need to define prison’s purpose and make it as efficient as possible in that regard so our nation can become a safer place.

The “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” mentality is no longer feasible. The cost for that is becoming too much to bear. So we must find ways to receive more return on the investment that is made to keep an individual incarcerated. Prison works- if it is administered correctly. Prison offers a unique opportunity for society to train individuals that either didn’t receive home training, or they choose to ignore what was instilled in them at an earlier time. Warehousing the inmates serves no purpose. That only creates an angrier inmate that will return home with a bad attitude. This person will now cause more trouble than he caused before his incarceration. They need to trained and educated.

If society can begin to see convicted felons as humans, as opposed to, convicts that only want to take and harm society, we will begin to see crime trends decrease. Why can’t we get “the benefit of the doubt”? We are now guilty, until proven innocent. Even those that claim to want to help have a preconceived notion that we will re-offend. It’s not a matter of “if”, it’s a matter of “when”. So why even try to convince them? It would be so much easier to just continue with a criminal lifestyle and get the things you desire. But when you have a true change of heart, you no longer desire the things that led you to a life of crime. And that’s what is frustrating. You know you have changed, but no one will believe you.

Give us a chance, we WILL prove you wrong!

Jobs are NOT the solution (Reentry Assessment)

2010-07-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

Ex-offender reentry is a vital part of public safety. Over 95% of individuals that are incarcerated will be returning to society. Since that is the case, society must make provisions for that. Many organizations feel that job placement is the answer. They spend the bulk of their resources and time on job development, job readiness and job placement. When they give their statistics, the most important one is the number of participants that are employed. That is the wrong approach.

People that commit crimes generally received “home training” and they know right from wrong. So that is not the issue. Although they have received “home training”, something in them made them feel it was okay to go against what they had been taught. What would make a person go against their morals and ideals that were instilled in them from an early age- in most cases? That should be our focus.

Generally, they commit crimes because of a sense of entitlement. Entitlement makes it seem reasonable to use force to take someone else’s possessions, or to use deception to acquire goods or services. They feel the world owes them something.

People with this mentality should not be given jobs or assistance with job placement simply because they have a felony conviction. There is a price that needs to be paid. There must be some form of sacrifice to justify the assistance they receive. Life Skills, communication, anger management, etiquette, diction and other classes should be part of a comprehensive reentry plan. Job placement should only be an option AFTER the client has successful completed the designated programs. This instills a sense of value and responsibility in an individual that has usually shunned those ideals for many years.

Scholars have different opinions as to why people commit crime and continue to go to prison. Some say it is because there was no father figure in the home. Others attribute it to a lack of home training. While others say these actions stem from a flaw in a person’s character. Although these factors may play a role in the equation, those factors only play a limited role. The major factor is the decision making process of the individual.

Many times when an ex-offender is making a plea for equality, they will use the phrase, “I made a mistake”. I take exception to that because that removes the responsibility from the individual and places it on circumstance. Mistakes generally are beyond our control and we tend to learn from them and correct that behavior. But if a person continues the same or similar behavior, that is no longer a mistake. This person makes bad decisions. After that realization, he can now be trained on how to make better decisions.

When mistakes are made, consequences are never considered. When decisions are made, consequences are considered. So if an ex-offender decides to become a productive citizen, he can now be equipped with good decision making tools and methods to break the cycle of making bad decisions, thus changing his outlook on life. He can now develop a sense of self-worth and purpose.

Reentry programs MUST give their clients hope. That hope begins with a self assessment and a realization that “my circumstances are my fault”. No one else is to blame. After responsibility has been accepted, the next step is the building of a foundation that takes into account that individual’s past and present environments and moral instruction. This is only the beginning. This individual is NOT ready to enter into the workforce.

A common misconception is that a job will solve a criminal’s problems and make him end his life of crime. That notion is incorrect because most jobs will not pay what the individual was making in his illegal endeavors. So why would that be incentive enough to give up the past life?

We don’t want the job for the money. Again, more money can be made illegally. But that money comes with risks and it is not guaranteed. The job gives me stability and consistency. Now I can plan and prepare a budget and not risk my life for money. The job gives me a sense of responsibility because now I will be able to meet my obligations. I now value the money that I make because I earned it honestly.

To get a person to this realization takes time. This is not something that will be embraced after a job readiness session. Coping mechanisms need to be taught because $500 a week only can go so far. How does the individual deal with the dreams of the past- when money was not an issue because there was plenty of it around? How does the individual deal with not being able to spend with no regard for the bills that need to be paid. Now he has to budget. A job does not answer those issues.

Conflict in the criminal world is seldom resolved with kind, civilized words. How does this individual handle being chastised by his supervisor? Where did he learn how to communicate without raising his voice or using profanity? Putting this individual to work only sets him up to fail.

Is Work a Right?

2010-05-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

Why do people feel that having a job is a right, as if they are entitled to work? A job is a privilege and it has to be earned. People expect us to put them to work, but they don't want to go through the classes we have to offer. Men haven't worked in 3 years can't give us 8 weeks... hmmm. Do they really wanna work?

Our phone rings constantly, and the person calling asks, "Can you get me a job". First of all, we don't know who the person is. Responsible people would never set someone up for failure. That's what we would be doing if we simply sent men and women out to work without, first, getting to know them and instilling our programs values into them.

So many people say they want work, but they are not ready for work. They lack the basic skills that employers are looking for. That is why the job searches are always unfruitful. Our job is to train men and women in the areas that employers look for. We don't have a magic formula, but we do know what employers want.

We MUST be able to vouch for anyone that we send to an employer. That only comes with time. That is why our program is structured the way that it is. We have been very successful so we can not begin to stray from our core values.

I'm sure many men and women have hung up angry. But if they would give us a try, they would see that it is not hard. And the time will be over before you know it. Explain this logic: a woman hasn't had a job in 4 years. We tell her that if she completes our program, we will send her to an employer that works with us. She doesn't come. huh?

People don't really pay attention sometimes. If I have been unsuccessful in my job search for YEARS, why can't I give an organization 2 months in a situation where I won't even have to search anymore. The employer will be waiting for ME? STRANGE!

Ban the Box

2010-05-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

Ban the Box is a national movement that removes the question, "Have you ever been convicted of a felony" from the employment application. Many people wonder why that is so significant. Opponents even argue that felons should not be allowed to obtain city jobs.

Removing the box from applications may seem small to the common man, but to those of us that have felony convictions, it is a tremendous sign of hope! I've often stated that, "Where there is no hope, the only thing that can be expected is failure". The removal of that box gives us HOPE! And that hope is motivation to go ever harder and perform even better and contribute to society.

Banning the box does not remove the criminal background check. That would be crazy. But it does move it farther down the line in the hiring process. As it stands right now, that box is the first method of dismissal for potential employers. The City of Memphis is taking a great leap in leading the city's private sector toward fair hiring practices to ensure that they have the most qualified workforce possible.

I hope that the private sector sees the benefit in giving men and women hope. Crime is at an all time high. We can reduce that with measures such as this. This shows men and women that have criminal background histories that everyone is not against them and that opportunities are available. Knowing that one has an option will spur him/her to fight on and not give up. Prison, then, becomes a deterrent and is no longer an option.

I applaud the Memphis City Council, led by Chairman Harold Collins and Janis Fullilove, for taking the initiative to make Memphis a city of choice.

I know there are many questions. Please feel free to ask and I will do my best to provide an answer.

Are There Bad People in our World?

2010-04-13T14:47:00.001-07:00

Are There Bad People?

What determines who a person is? We say that you can tell a tree by the fruit that it bears. So that means that bad trees will bear bad fruit. We believe that one’s character is defined by one’s actions. Actions come from thoughts. Then, one that has bad thoughts and acts on them has bad actions. Those bad actions, in turn, would make him a bad person- if our previous thought holds true.

We know that statement is incorrect. Good people have bad thoughts and they act on them. Yet, we don’t call them bad people. We excuse the action and say they made a mistake. So are there any bad people in our world then? And if there are, can they be converted from bad to good?

In our society, ex-offenders are seen as bad people. Their bad actions are not viewed as mistakes. The evidence is found in the fact that criminal background checks are becoming the norm. Employers have blanket policies that state that they will not hire anyone that has been convicted of a felony at any time in his life. Public housing agencies have the same policy. Even some privately owned complexes ask about a person’s criminal history. Local, state and the federal government also use felony convictions as a method of disqualification of otherwise qualified candidates for employment. The negative stigma that is associated with a felony record is one that is virtually impossible to overcome.

It appears that a felony conviction makes a person bad. Society says that they can’t be redeemed. Once bad, always bad. Otherwise, there would not be so many restrictions placed to keep ex-offenders out of society. Ex-offenders live among non-offenders daily. They are your neighbors and, in some cases, your co-workers. You attend church with them. They serve you at your favorite restaurant. They are your friend. In most cases, you would never know they had a record if they hadn’t revealed it to you. And once the revelation is made, you never see them the same again. You begin to expect them to do things that are illegal or immoral. You begin to look for their faults. You stop trusting them and begin to analyze their every action. Is that fair?

What separates an ex-offender or convicted felon from the average citizen? The convicted felon has a documented record of wrongdoing, while the average citizen just didn’t get caught. Their actions are the same, but getting caught makes one worse than the one that got away.

The original question was, “Are there any bad people (in our world)?” It appears to me that the answer would be “no”, but our perception tells us that is not the case. Fear of the unknown and media hype has made the label of ex-offender worse than the Scarlet letter. A criminal record follows a person for the remainder of his life and it is a roadblock that can’t be removed. The simple fact that a person was caught breaking the law makes them a bad person- FOREVER. Rehabilitation is possible for sex addicts, drug addicts and those addicted to gambling. Employers will even allow an employer with an addiction a chance to get help and remain employed. But society doesn’t believe that a criminal can be reformed. Society doesn’t have any faith in the prison system as it relates to its ability to correct a person’s actions. That theory will not stand against scrutiny, but no one will stand and cry out against this travesty and grave injustice.

Prisons are necessary and there are individuals that need to be separated from society because they refuse to follow the rules and law of the land. There are people that choose to rebel and they have no respect for life or freedom. They need to be locked away. But the majority of ex-offenders are not in the previous category. Most ex-offenders eventually learn their lesson and have a sincere desire to change their negative behavior into productive behavior. The problem is society doesn’t separate these two distinct groups. The only thing these two groups have in common is the fact that they both were found guilty of breaking the law. The latter will never do it again, while the former uses his time in prison to hone his skill to come out an be a better criminal. And we have a place for him.

If we are ever to become a successful society and reduce crime, we must see the importance of re-entry. It is vital that we grasp the concept that all people have the capacity to be reformed. We must allow them a chance to prove themselves. If they have followed the prescribed method of repayment to society and completed whatever sanctions that were levied against them, they MUST have a chance to provide for themselves and their families. They MUST have the ability to obtain housing. They MUST be able to be seen as humans that bleed, breath and live just like those that have never broken the law.

I never knew that breaking the law would make me forfeit my ability to be a human. Animals have more rights that convicted felons. This should not be so. There is no such thing as a bad person. But there are people that refuse to be obedient.

What is the purpose of prison?

2010-04-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

What is the purpose of prison? In today's society, there is a tremendous amount of emphasis placed on one's criminal background. In order to find employment, one must submit to a criminal background check. The same is true for obtaining public housing and other aspects of life, such as certain career paths. And the negative stimga that is attached to having a criminal background makes it virtually impossible for one without a large number of resources to re-enter society.

The Encyclopedia Britannica states, "There are a number of accepted reasons for the use of imprisonment. One approach aims to deter those who would otherwise commit crimes (general deterrence) and to make it less likely that those who serve prison sentences will commit crimes after their release (individual deterrence). A second approach focuses on issuing punishment to or obtaining retribution from, those who have committed serious crimes. A third approach encourages the personal reform of those who are sent to prison. Finally, in some cases it is necessary to protect the public from those who commit crimes- particularly from those who do so persistently. The increasing importance of the notion of reform has led some prison systems to be called correctional institutions."

So what happens when prison works? What is the next step when prison is successful in deterring, punishing and reforming an individual? The criminal background check removes the posibility of re-entry in most cases. Released individuals are then left to beat the pavement and attempt to look for employment in places that use the criminal background check as their first form of removal for potential employees. Society doesn't realize that it is easy for ex-offenders to go back to the lifestyle that led them to prison and that they do not want to go back to. The background check is becoming more punishment than the prison sentence itself.

What is the solution? We can reduce crime in our communities if we open some doors and allow individuals that used the time in prison wisely and are ready and willing to contribute to society the ability to enter the workforce and find decent housing. If we begin to see people as humans and not as monsters that only want to destroy the world, we will not throw people away. When our children need to eat, or when child support is due, or when I need shoes because the rain is coming through the hole in the sole of my only pair, what do I do when I can not find someone that will allow me the chance to prove myself? Until we figure this out, crime will continue to rise and we will have more victims. Is it right? Of course not! But it is reality.

Out4Life

2010-03-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

Reentry of ex-offenders is crucial to the reduction of crime and the advancement of public safety. That is why the Out4Life movement is so important to our society. Groups from various backgrounds are focusing their efforts collectively towards a common issue with a common goal, with a common expectation of success. This country has never seen such a moment since the Civil Rights movement. Secular, faith-based, governmental agencies, and common people with a heart for men and women are coming together to equip individuals with felony convictions with the tools necessary and with the opportunities to reenter society with a POSITIVE impact on their communities.

The Tennessee Out4Life conference was a HUGE success. We had 286 participants from all over the state. We even had representation from Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Lousiana- just to name a few. I would like to thank God for the direction and Prison Fellowship for receiving the vision and leading us in this charge to impact lives.

The break-out sessions were relevant and well organized. The presenters were prepared and informed. The class sizes were managable. The participants were receptive and engaging. The leadership was on one accord- in the public's view.There were no major glitches. And I believe this conference will be a model for the Out4Life conferences that follow all over the country. Great job Aimee, Larry, Ed, Jean, David, Arleen, Mary, Bruce, Greg and all of the volunteers and service providers. I am glad and proud to say that I was a part.

Moving forward, we must be sure to not lose the momentum that Out4Life has begun. Information was shared. Ideas were exchanged. Visions and plans were enhanced. Relationships were formed and fostered.Coalitions were established and others were strenghten in numbers and mission. I pray that individuals were stirred up to fight even harder. We are on our way. Memphis Transformation Network- LET'S CHANGE THE WORLD!

If Not You, Then Who?

2009-12-21T15:47:00.000-08:00

When it comes to ex-offenders re-offending, the question is always asked, "Why don't they just get a job at the local grocery store or at McDonald's?". The answer is simple. The local grocery store and McDonald's both conduct criminal background checks and the do not hire convicted felons. So if that is the case, what is the ex-offender to do?

It is so easy to lay all of the blame on the one that "has a past". "It's his own fault." "She shouldn't have broken the law." " They made their bed, now that must lay in it." These are common sentiments as it relates to ex-offenders and the struggles they face on a daily basis. So many people live in the past and hold past transgressions over others' heads. Where does it stop?

I'll pose this question to you, if you were in the business of hiring, would you hire an ex-offender? If your answer is, NO, then you are part of the problem. Why do I say that, you may ask. It is because so many times we choose to ignore the fact that we hinder others with our prejudices and stereotypes, and then turn around and blame the one we are hindering, as if we have no part in the matter. So the next time you consider why crime is so high and why the rate of recidivism is through the roof, ask yourself what role you have in that.

Men and women need a chance. If not you, then who?

Preparing A Workforce

2009-12-04T20:10:00.000-08:00

There is a workforce that has been neglected for far too long. That work force consists of re-entrants that have served the required amount of time in prison to satisfy society's penalty and are attempting to find gainful employment. There are several benefits that accompany a re-entrant, if society would only give them a chance. We live in a society that loves to taut that America is the place where dreams become reality, "Only in America". And that mantra is well-known and can be heard time and time again. And it is accepted as true and applies to everyone BUT the re-entrant community.

Re-entrants return to the "free world" ready to reestablish themselves in the community as responsible, tax paying citizens- only to find that no one can see past the fact that the dreaded box (Have you ever been convicted...) has been checked. Application after application, "NO after "NO". Again, this is the land of the free and the home of the brave, where if you can believe it, you can achieve it. Nothing is impossible in America. Try telling that to Sam, who just served a 6 year sentence. He used his time in prison to become the man that he always knew he should be. He has applied for 17 jobs and hasn't received a single call inviting him to an interview. The fact that he has a Ph. D. can't garner him a simple call back. Is America really the place where dreams come true?

The re-entrants that come through LifeLine will be an asset to any company that is LUCKY enough to receive one of our graduates. Why? It's simple, these individuals have proven themselves to our staff by their dedication to our program and their willingness to be taught. They are equipped with a strong support system, that is headed by our staff. And last, but certainly not least, THEY ARE DRUG FREE. These individuals are job ready and "life ready" when they graduate. Along with that, the federal government will bond these individuals free of charge for 6 months. Also, there is a tax credit for each re-entrant that a company will employ, AND THERE IS NO LIMIT to the number of tax credits a company can receive.

This segment of our society has been ignored for far too long. Give them a chance to prove to you and to themselves that redemption is possible. Remember- SOMEBODY GAVE YOU A CHANCE!

What is a re-entrant?

2009-09-29T23:33:00.000-07:00

Our mission at LifeLine to Success is to change society's perception that everyone that has been convicted of a felony is a "bad seed" and needs to be feared. That stereotype is a significant contributor to the rate of recidivism in our community. Society would like to lay all of the blame on the individual that commits the crime, but it (society) doesn't want to look in the mirror and realize the fact that it (society) has its own burden of blame to bear. The stigma that is currently attached to that term, ex-offender, puts even those that have changed their ways and become better people because of their indiscetions in a compromised position. Jobs become harder to find, applications get thrown in the trash (not even considered), and apprehensive attitudes suddenly appear.

When the term ex-offender is heard, immediately a negative image is flashed through the mind of the hearer. In order to remove that knee-jerk negative image, a new term needs to be used- a term that shows a distinction between a common ex-offender that has no desire to change his/her life and one that has made the decision that a life of crime costs too much and is not the direction one's life should take. We have introduced the term re-entrant to assist in the transitioning of the negative perception that all ex-offenders are bad and should be locked away forever. Prison can actually be used to train a workforce of dedicated, hard working individuals that appreciate life because theirs had been taken away and now they have it back. Prison can become a place of preparation where those that may not have had "home training' and life skills taught to them at home can receive those skills. After all, it is called the Department of CORRECTION.

What is a re-entrant? Re-entrant- an ex-offender that has made a conscious decision to change the course of his/her life by making positive decisions that will produce benefits to themselves and their community. A life of crime is no longer an option for a re-entrant. Some may not totally understand the need for this term because an ex-offender will always be an ex-offender. Giving a person a new identity begins with a new name. This term is an identifier, not a sugar coating or a whitewashing. By definition, a re-entrant is an ex-offender. That doesn't change, but it gives the ex-offender an immediate sign that a change has occurred and now he/she can begin to live out the defintion in their daily lives.

Allow me to illustate my point. Christians believe that we are all born in sin and are by definition sinners. And we remain in that state, until we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. When that occurs, we are no longer sinners (by definition) but we become saved or saints. We still commit sin, but we are no longer identified with the sinners because we have made the decision to change the course of our lives. When people hear that we are saved, they expect us to live a certain way. The same rule applies to the re-entrant. If an employer hears the term re-entrant, his/her mind should expect a level of dedication and integrity that surpasses that of the average citizen because the re-entrant realizes that this could be the last chance. Perception truly is reality. So let's change the reality.

What does an ex-offender look like?

2009-08-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

If I were to say the word ex-offender, what picture would you get in your head? What physical characteristics would you give him? Would he have tatoos? Would he have large muscles? Would he have a mustache and a beard? Would his pants hang below his butt? Would he have gray hair? Would he have on glasses? Would he have a mouth full of gold teeth? How old would he be? WOULD HE BE BLACK?

I ask these questions because we have a preconceived notion that all "ex-offenders" fit into those categories. You would never guess that you see "ex-offenders" every day. You see them at the grocery store. You sit next to them at church. You sit next to them in the movie theater and you have no idea that they have been convicted of a crime. A society that has made its mind up that all "ex-offenders" are bad people and need to be feared is a society that will continue to have a very high crime rate. Why? Because when that idea has been spread and is widely accepted as true, all of a sudden, the citizens begin to cut the "ex-offenders" off and make them outcasts.

When you put "criminals" in a position that they are not afforded job opportunities, when times get hard, what do you think they are going to do? If Johnny's daughter needs school supplies and Johnny can't find a job, what do you think Johnny is going to do? He doesn't want to climb in your back window and steal your valuables, but what OPTION does he have? His time in prison gave him an opportunity to think and a chance to get his head on straight, but as soon as the potential employer looks at his application and sees that the dreaded box is checked (Have you ever been convicted...), the interview is over. He has applied everywhere that he can think of, and nothing. His probation officer is riding him because he doesn't have the $45 he is required to pay each month. And his daughter still needs her supplies. So you tell me. What is he to do?