For the last two years, Matthew Charles was making things right with his life after being released from prison and serving a 21-year stint. Charles had served his time for being a crack dealer and thanks to an Obama administration initiative, he was released from prison early.
What We Know:
- Even though the Nashville man got his life right, Charles must return to prison after two years of being out because of a system error. Charles was actually ineligible for an early release under the program, reports Blavity.
- Charles was initially released because of the Obama administration’s crack guideline changes, but the problem is Charles was in prison before his crack conviction, and that means he’s classified as a “career offender” and doesn’t qualify for the early release program.
- For the two years that he’s been out, Charles has done well for himself. He got a job and has been following his faith. Even when he was incarcerated, he was a model prisoner. Charles taught GED classes to other inmates, enrolled in college classes and helped his fellow inmates with their legal woes.
- With his clean track record, he has to serve out the remainder of the 35 years of his original sentence because the U.S. Attorney’s office appealed his 2016 release.
- The judge who ordered Charles back to prison said the case was “sad,” and said he showed “exemplary rehabilitation.” But admitted “her hands were tied.” He has been readmitted to a medium security prison in Kentucky
- A Change.org petition was started asking the Trump administration to consider the case and pardon Charles. There’s no word on if they will take up the issue.
This story will be updated at Urban Newsroom.
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