At the age of seven, Arthur began stealing. Growing up without a father, Arthur had feelings of abandonment and loneliness. Unable to process these emotions they continued to grow until they began to have a negative impact on his behavior at home. After suffering extremely traumatic abuse at the hands of parents, those feelings turned to anger and resentment and Arthur expressed that anger by stealing. This was also a cry for attention that went unheard, therefore his negative behavior progressed.

What seemed to be harmless to his young mind: taking pencils, items from lunch boxes, loose change laying around turned into a destructive lifestyle with chain robberies.  Though no physical injuries were suffered during these robberies, the emotional trauma he forced upon innocent victims is equally damaging.  He’s ashamed and embarrassed of his previous actions/lifestyle. He has expressed true remorse for his destructive choices.

In 2006, he was arrested for a robbery committed in 2001 and sentenced to 45 years to life. After nearly 17 years of incarceration, he has become the true opposite of who he once was. His choices today demonstrate that remorse.

Arthur proudly serves the community as a dog trainer, team leader, and mentor for Paws For Life. Paws For Life is a community-based program that rescues dogs from high kill shelters, trains them for veterans suffering from PTSD and disabled individuals. Paws For Life gives dogs and incarcerated people a second chance at life. 

Arthur is a braille transcriber, helping the blind. This is a huge accomplishment! He’s very passionate about helping others.

He is also a youth mentor inside and outside the prison. At the age of 42, Arthur continues to pursue higher education in college and has earned multiple vocational certificates. This change came with numerous years of much needed self-help, self-reflection, maturity and a true change in mind and heart! Self-help classes taught Arthur how his childhood trauma influenced his destructive behavior and callus choices growing up. He now understands he had no regard for others.

One of the more important things he learned was empathy, it’s meaning and how the lack of it contributed to his criminal behavior. Arthur has received support letters, recommendations to return to society by several staff, Correctional Officers, Captains, Lieutenants and self-help volunteers.

Arthur has become a devoted husband and father of four.  As his wife, I have known him for over 32 years. It took decades for him to gain my trust and I can proudly say he’s truly an example of change. As a business owner and community volunteer, giving back are values we instill in our children.   

Please help bring my husband home so that together as a family we can continue to have a positive impact in our community and beyond. Thank you.