Susan Burton's story: Important for all of us!

Maurice Carter was a hero to many when he walked out of prison in 2004. He had served 29 years for a crime he did not commit. At the conclusion of a ten-year battle with the State of Michigan, he finally obtained a compassionate release from the Governor because he was dying. He may have been a hero in our circles, and he’s still my hero today. But, he was no hero in the community when it came to reentry issues. He couldn’t find a play to stay. Here’s what he had going against him: He was Black, he had a prison record, and he was suffering from Hepatitis C. 

We were finally fortunate enough to find one kind couple, who owned and operated a care facility, who had a heart and took him in. 

Some 90% of the prisoners in Michigan will get out someday, but the going won’t be easy. Besides that, these people get little help with personal issues upon reentry. My friend Ronnie got caught up in his old ways upon his release, eventually got picked up again, and took his own life in a county jail. My friend Joe just couldn’t make the adjustment after 30 years behind bars. Friends did their best to help him, but his bad choices eventually put him right back where he came from. 

That’s why it’s so important to hear our guest speaker next week. Author Susan Burton is coming to Grand Haven, and everyone should hear her story. She experienced a childhood of immense pain, poverty and abuse. In her early teens she became pregnant, due to a rape. Still, she loved that little boy, but he was run over and killed by a cop driving past their home. That led to addiction. That led to arrests. That led to prison. 6 different times! Her life was so difficult upon release that she'd fall back into her old habits. Then her old habitat.

Against all odds, however, she survived. 

She argues: Everyone needs a place to live. Everyone needs a place to come home to every night. I don't understand why our society, our government, can think that you can lock a person away for months or years... and then release them back after they pay their debt without any support and expect it to be okay. 

Perhaps more than that of any other author we have brought to Grand Haven, Susan Burton’s story best underscores the “why” behind our work at HUMANITY FOR PRISONERS. 

You’ll want to read her story. Even better yet, you’ll want to hear it first-hand! Next Thursday, 7 PM, Lakeshore Middle School, Grand Haven. 

I hope to see you there!

 

 

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