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Television Judge Greg Mathis is quick to share his story of his own troubled past and incarceration with the people who come into his courtroom.
Statistics reveal that African-Americans make up 50 percent of the nation's prison population and are incarcerated at a rate of 6.5 times that of white males and Mathis is committed to doing something about it.
The 49 year-old, who was the youngest person appointed to Michigan's 36th District Supreme Court, has launched a black prisoner initiative called Prisoner Empowerment Education and Respect (PEER). Mathis will visit jails and prisons throughout the country to encourage inmates to change their lives.
The NAACP Image Award winner has already visited the Wayne County Jail in his hometown of Detroit, where he served his one year sentence, as well as the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta and the State Correctional Institution at Chester, PA.
On Feb.8, he will visit the Golden Grove Correctional Facility in St. Croix, Virgin Islands.
Mathis previously founded Young Adults Asserting Themselves, Inc., which operates at a community center in Detroit named in his honor. That program works with Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Push organization to provide mentorship to non-violent offenders and assists individuals in a janitorial entrepreneurial training program and the Second-Chance Through Expungement (STEP) to expunge their criminal records if they stay crime-free for five years.
On a professional note, the 'Judge Mathis' court show is in its eleventh season.
Comments: (12)
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By: Robert Simpson on 1/27/2010 11:36AM
hi my name is Robert Simpson and I am a convicted felon but my crime is violent i read these sites which say that this program is intended to help those with one felony non-violent expunge their record, but i have yet to see any hope for anyone with a violent charge i made a mistake and have learned but what hope do i have.. im only 26 and life after this crime has been hell i face rejection in all aspects of my life and im just lost i work a dead end job even tho i also have a college degree i feel as if their is not any real hope. people tell me all the time to not give up and think positive but i cant see any light at the end of the tunnel my life just seems so dark. what should i do, im currently going through a stage of self improvement to make myself a better person/christ like but I just would like a second chance..
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By: AJ on 7/25/2010 4:21PM
My dear brother Robert, i've been home 22yrs. Held my last CDL job for 12yrs. I am presently unemployed,broke and a injured worker. I am also in school to become a Microsoft Certified Engineer. This past WE had will always follow us, you must never give up and stay in constant prayer I would will only tell you this, I am still trying to rebuild, today I am like any other man, fighting to hang on to what is being stolen from all classes. Get involved. I love you, BE STRONG!
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By: Steve on 8/01/2010 5:45AM
To Mr. Robert Simpson and all others that have a conviction --violent or nonviolent -- you are indeed in a position that only people that have been in the same situation can really realize where you are coming from. There may be love for you from those who believe in GOD but you may never receive sympathy in a way that you will understand. To get beyond your present position you have to change your frame of mind from the “help me somebody” to I’ll succeed regardless of my situation. If you want to pull yourself out of the deep hole that you have dug for yourself, stop wearing your conviction like a badge. Any Christian pastor will say “tell the truth and the truth will set you free.” Not many employers, government or nongovernment, practice this belief. You and all others getting the same rejections from employers will have to build your own world with the only reliable things you have left, your mind and your body.
Self-employment is the best hope for those that have committed crime, violent or nonviolent. The proven way to reach this goal is through training and education. Training is mentioned first because it take less time to prepare you for a skill than most colleges and it is done by almost anyone with the skills you need to begin your journey towards self-employment.
Vocational schools such as VIM (Vocational Institute of Michigan) that are licensed under a government and that offer a certificate or diploma are often good starting points. These schools often are more personal than colleges in that they include mentoring and hands-on training at real jobsites. In less than three month time at VIM you can receive a certificate of completion and letter of recommendation that when accepted by certain cities you are allowed to sit for a skill trade license examination.
The license received will open the door to jobs that are perhaps amongst the few left that still see people as people. When you begin working in your new trade you can use your income to enter college to better prepare yourself for self-employment; to start your own business using your newly acquired skills; or to just work to raise a family. In starting your journey towards a new life through training and education your must find the money to pay tuitions same as you would to start your own business. This may be the toughest part of your journey.
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By: Ms. SJ on 3/29/2011 5:18PM
Dear Mr. Simpson, I totally understand how you feel. My only son has been in the prison system for 16 years for one single charge. God has raised up voices to speak out, like Judge Mathis, with a voice of a trumpet and to spare not. Acknowledge God and he will direct your path. Obey him and you will prosper you. God cannot lie.
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By: Ms. SJ on 3/29/2011 5:29PM
Mr. Simpson, I meant to say Obey him and he will prosper you. Your true identity is hidden in your creator, God Almighty, through Jesus Christ. Thank God for your freedom, so use it for the Glory of God! Hallelujah!
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By: DAMON WILLIAMS on 2/18/2010 3:27PM
I seen the show(106&Park)today and I was amazed that there's actually people out there whom really understand that those of us need a little help to enter once again the work force in the same environmental structure that we displeased (convicts). Thanks Judge Mathis, I just wish you can reach out to me and assist my desperate need of employment.GOD BLESS YOU!
Sincerely,
2 mnths released
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By: Debbie Dixon on 8/02/2010 11:18AM
I saw the honorable Judge Mathis on Larry King last night with dog the bounty hunter. My nephew is in a prison in Pa. He was abused as a child. And his father was shot and killed. My nephew has spent approx. 17 years of his 19 year sentence. He is up to apply for early parole in September of 2010. He killed someone who drugged him and then sexually abused him. He has regreted his action and is very remorseful. He is a well behaved prisoner and is even liked by the guards. He has taken alot of classses and has become and extraordinary painter. It would be wonderful if Judge Mathis could visit where he is and help follow him through his transition from the appeal process to life out in the world.
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By: Jes on 9/14/2010 11:25AM
I am a convicted felon. My charge was a common nuisance. My ex boyfriend was a "hustler". I had no control over what he did, consequences of an abusive relationship, and my house was raided. I was the only one there. I was arrested, convicted and sentenced. The lesser of my charges (possession) were dropped and my charge was made a felony. In the courtroom, the judge made me aware of the fact that he was "making an example" out of me.
I, too, struggle with finding a decent job. On every application it states "a conviction will not necessarily exclude you from being hired". Although... most places won't even call you for an interview if you are honest on that application. And... it's illegal to lie about it! So... what to do?
I, at 36 years old, am in college. I am going for my nursing degree. I am currently taking the pre-requisites for the program, although, I am so afraid I will be refused for the nursing program because of my felony.
I would love to be able to talk to children, young adults, and grown women and men... to put my story out there. It's a scarry world, and even being around someone who is doing wrong... even if you aren't.... you are "guilty by association". It's true.
"Think positive. Keep pushing".... it's said all the time to me.... sometimes it would just be nice to get a little bit of help. I want a life, I want a future. I want to be able to live normally, and not at my mother's house, own my own home, be able to be financially stable, and help others to the best of my ability. Lost and confused. I may not have always made the best decisions when I was younger, but, I have grown up...wish the past wasn't there to haunt me. ALTHOUGH.... I have to say that what happened, was some kind of blessing in disguise... my whole life changed because of that. Woke me up, got me out of the situation. And, I refuse to let anyone or anything bring me back down to any negative kind of level.
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By: Marte' King on 9/16/2010 11:46AM
Repent Publications presents, ‘Fruition’ by Marte’ King
Fruition is a memoir of my experiences as a Palliative Care (Hospice) volunteer at South Woods State Prison. After being sentenced to 26 years of imprisonment in 2000 I was faced with two options; sink into despair or swim in optimism. I choose the latter.
In a quest to change the male that I was into the Man I wished to become I knew I had to do something different. I volunteered for Palliative Care (Hospice) to do something good for someone else without expecting a pay off and discovered that the reward I received from helping these men transitioning towards the inevitable far exceeded anything that I have ever done.
Fruition chronicles my interactions with these men and the lessons that I learned. It’s insightful, thought provoking and funny and provides a fresh perspective on the incarceration experience and the persons trapped in the mire of its web. After serving 10 years, writing two books, and creating a re-entry program that focuses on transforming the street honed entrepreneurial skills into legitimate entrepreneurial pursuits [REPENT Recidivism Prevention thru Entrepreneurial Training) I was graced with an opportunity to get out early and for a second chance. In three months time I’ve mentored for RAFHA Inc., gave a workshop on Repent at the US Social Justice Forum in Detroit, spoken at several events (including Kintock which is directly across from South Woods State Prison), taught an Entrepreneurial Business Camp for Youth Rebuild, began a pilot program of Repent at the VOA in Camden NJ through Opportunity Reconnect, and published my first book ‘Fruition’.
Get your copy of Fruition at Repentpublications.com or send $20 to Repent Publications PO Box 7885 Atlantic City NJ 08404 or call me Marte’ King (609) 350-2580. A portion of the proceeds of the sales of Fruition go towards Repent. This is just the beginning. Join the movement! Also, I am actively seeking speaking engagements, if you have or know of any please let me know.
Repent… because the TIME is at hand!!!
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