Video: Columbus Support Group For Convicted Felons

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — A former Parchman Penitentiary inmate who ran afoul of the law is reaching back by mentoring convicted non-violent felons. Helping prisoners adjust to life on the outside after years on the inside is the goal of a new support group for prisoners and their families called Released By Grace.

“And if we have programs to offer them, then we wouldn’t have to worry about them falling back to the system. You know when guys are getting out they have no where to go no jobs. In some cases you know they have no finances,” said Aaron Pulsifer, Coordinator-Released By Grace.

“Right now we have about 10 to twelve clients that’s participating in the program. And we currently have an MOU; memorandum of understanding with the Winn Job Center, The Greater Columbus Learning Center, and Beulah Grove Full Gospel Baptist Church,” said Quincy Brooks, Released By Grace.

No one knows the importance of being there for inmates than support group coordinator Quincy Brooks. Her 26 year old son Jestin Ray is currently at Parchman. She says the mistakes that put him there shouldn’t haunt him forever.

“And we don’t say second chance because sometimes it takes two, three, four, times for a person to get it together,” said Brooks.

Two time convicted felon Aaron Pulsifer is no stranger to the criminal justice system. The former founder of Youth Challenge was convicted in 2009 of bilking more than a million dollars from medicaid. For him, reentering society since his parole has been a difficult uphill climb.

“Try to get your drivers licenses. You have issues as far as in my case, don’t have no clothes. Don’t have no food, and in some cases you don’t have no where to go,” said Pulsifer.

The support group Released By Grace wants to make sure those who were locked up, are not locked out of making a go of it when released from prison.

The group mentoring non-violent convicted felons meet every first and third Thursdays at the Now Faith Center Church on Columbus’ Southside.

Categories: Crime, Local News

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