Keidrain Brewster: How relativity helps reduce recidivism

The revolving door of incarceration in the United States is a well-documented problem. Across the country, millions of people cycle through the prison system, often returning within a few years of release. Indiana is no exception, with a recidivism rate of 38% in some locales, according to the Indiana Department of Corrections. This means nearly 4 out of every 10 people released will end up back behind bars. Entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker Keidrain Brewster strives to be a living testament to the power of rehabilitation while within the prison system. Incarcerated as a young adult, Brewster felt lost and headed down a destructive path. “I spent over 13 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. I went to prison for four aggravated robberies with deadly weapons and four aggravated assaults with deadly weapons,” Brewster said. “Growing up in the urban community, I was raised around gangs, drugs and things of that nature. I was raised to believe that if I want something, then I should just take it and that is what led me to prison.” Brewster’s story took a turn once he was released and ran into an old friend who was making money with a legitimate...