Former top-selling rap artist Patrick Houston recently gave a presentation to over 100 residents at the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center.
Houston, known by his stage name of Project Pat, was not there to perform his hard-hitting hip-hop songs filled with expletives and references to the crime and drugs that once marked his lifestyle. These days, Houston shares a message of hope with others, chronicling his journey through a federal prison sentence and his transformation, with God’s help, from substance abuse disorder.
“Guest speakers, like Mr. Houston, offer not just words but actual living testimonies of transformation that remind individuals that their past does not define their future,” Rutherford County Re-Entry Program Coordinator Lindsey Davis said. “The Re-Entry Program serves as a bridge between incarceration and community reintegration by addressing barriers such as employment, housing, education and mental health. Re-entry programs work to reduce recidivism while fostering opportunities for those seeking second chances. I hope that the Re-Entry Program participants listen to the words shared by Mr. Houston and know that change is always possible and within reach.
“The event was amazing,” Houston said, “and the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center is an outstanding facility. We have over a billion lives to touch, and we are just getting started sharing the good news.”
To reach his goal, Houston started a not-for-profit organization, the Go Foundation, which focuses on reaching men and women currently in prison.
“The services our Re-Entry Team provides are essential for ensuring the successful rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals released from incarceration into our community,” said RCCWC Superintendent William Cope. “Attending to an individual’s specific criminogenic needs is important because it can improve the offender’s chance of becoming a productive citizen. Most offenders in our care will leave our facility and return to Rutherford and adjoining counties. These are our neighbors and our family members. They are shopping next to you at the grocery store, sitting next to you at church, and their kids go to school with your kids. Any positive restorative measures we can provide, pre-release, only help make the transition successful.”
