Adrian, MI – Students across Lenawee County walked into classrooms this fall with new backpacks, fresh supplies, and a boost of confidence thanks to an unexpected source: the Warden’s Forum at Gus Harrison Correctional Facility. Through fundraising and collaboration, inmates at the prison donated more than $2,000 worth of backpacks and school supplies to support students experiencing homelessness and foster youth in the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD).
For CPC Matt Randall, Warden Forum Liaison, the program reflects the heart of the forum’s mission. “The goal of Warden’s Forum is to have the ‘best’ prisoners on the compound work together with facility staff like myself to make the facility run as smooth and as safe for everyone as possible,” he explained. “Part of that includes special incentives, like fundraisers, that encourage good choices. When this happens, the benefits go far beyond our walls.” From the correctional leadership perspective, Randall says the donations carry an even bigger purpose. “Our goal is to prepare them for a successful reintegration back into the communities as law-abiding and productive citizens,” he said. “Being able to give back and make a positive impact in the community while being in prison is a key step for them to understand, learn and feel before they are released. This will hopefully reduce recidivism and promote a safer Michigan for all.”
The Prisoner Benefit Fund (PBF), which covers the donations, is not taxpayer-funded. Instead, it’s built from the prisoners’ own purchases through vending machines, secure packs, and the prison store. A portion of every purchase is set aside, and the forum votes on how the money should be used. “This year our PBF donated book bags and school supplies to students experiencing homelessness and foster children of Lenawee County,” Randall said. “It’s their money, nothing to do with taxpayers or state funds. They can choose to spend it how they want, and they continue to choose to give back.”
On the receiving end, the impact is immediate. Chris Howard, Homeless Education Coordinator for the LISD, shared how meaningful the backpacks were. “This year the forum donated backpacks for elementary students. They always offer to fill whatever need is most urgent,” Howard said. “While many districts this year provided many or all of the needed school supplies, being able to ensure kids had new cool backpacks was really helpful. The greatest story is knowing that all kids have the potential to walk in on the first day of school with a new backpack just like their peers. This is such a huge deal for kids as part of fitting in.”
Howard added that donations like these also support academic success. “We know kids miss school for a variety of reasons, including not having basic needs and school supplies. The more we can do to take care of these needs, the more likely a child is to have good attendance. Once they are able to attend school regularly, it really removes a lot of barriers to learning and social interactions.”
For many inmates, the donation is about more than money. It’s about redemption. “This experience for me has opened my eyes to how many children are out there struggling to have their basic needs met,” said inmate Steven Saylor. “It has brought peace and a sense of accomplishment to me just knowing that I could have an impact on so many individual’s lives. It also has made me more aware of what I can do to help people especially the children when I am released.” Saylor added that being trusted to help manage funds was an honor. “It is nice to be a leader and be trusted to organize and spend money in an appropriate manner. Especially when a group of guys from all walks of life can set our differences aside and make a healthy choice that has a positive impact on the community.”
Inmate Kenneth Fizer described the experience as both “enlightening and heartfelt.” He admitted that not everyone in the facility supported the donation. “Many inmates, outside of the forum, severely objected to our donation. But we overruled their opposition to help these underprivileged children. I am elated we made this decision.” Fizer said the responsibility of handling the PBF is not taken lightly. “Actually, it is a daunting task to be in charge of the PBF funds. Everyone wants PBF to spend on their projects, so we must be frugal on who we give our money to. Being a leader is challenging because you can’t give satisfaction to everyone.” Still, both he and Saylor emphasized that supporting LISD students felt like the right decision. “We believe that education is the key to a successful future, and no child should ever be left out,” Saylor said. “Helping these children in need means a lot to us. Putting others before ourselves gives us happiness and just knowing that we were able to put smiles on so many kids’ faces is worth every second that each and every one of us invested.”
Howard, who works daily with Lenawee’s students in transition, an estimated 500 each school year, shared a message of gratitude back to the forum. “I would like them to know that they are giving back to the community in a positive way. When I have spoken to them in the past, many expressed regret for feeling that they ‘tore their communities down.’ Hopefully this way that they are allowed to give back helps repair those feelings.”
For Randall, the program is proof that positive change is possible. “The prison serves as a very large part of our community,” he said. “There are many great businesses and industries within Lenawee County that give back and help make this a great county to live in, work in and raise a family. We are just happy to do our part, but more importantly, be a positive part of it all.”
Top Photo: Chris Howard with the Lenawee Intermediate School District
Bottom Photo: Matt Randall with MDOC and Warden's Forum Liaison