As he sat at his desk, nerves scattering through him like electricity, Matthew Cushing waited for the Zoom call that he approached with uncertainty: unsure about whether it would lead anywhere, whether it could change his life, or with how much candor regarding his incarceration at Maine State Penitentiary (MSP) that he should approach the conversation. The call connected, and he was greeted by Shon Holman-Wheatley, Director of Transitional Programs at THEI. Matthew spoke of his studies with the University of Maine, completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Mental Health and Human Services with concentrations in grief, trauma, and loss. Fulfilling his degree required the completion of two internships, and while there were options within MSP, Matthew wanted more. He wanted to work with professionals in reentry services, to see what kind of real change was happening, and what gaps still remained, on the outside. Taking this meeting was the first step toward making that happen.
Shon was taken aback when Matthew mentioned during their Zoom call that he was currently incarcerated at MSP.
With that first conversation, the door opened for an internship at THEI, though neither Shon nor Matthew knew what the role would entail. They started with the basics: joining meetings, participating virtually in events, and seeing where Matthew could contribute to the Transitional Programs team.
As they navigated these early steps, the idea for an independent research project emerged. Matthew would conduct a survey exploring humanizing practices and radical hospitality in reentry programs across the country. Together, they envisioned a comprehensive report—analyzing which organizations were excelling, who was bringing fresh perspectives, and how reentry could be reimagined nationwide. By the end of summer 2024, Matthew would submit his findings, with the possibility of publishing them in a journal and presenting his work at the Southern HEP Collective later in 2024.
Originally intended to start mid-May and end in August of 2024, Matthew’s internship progressed past the summer, as did his role within THEI. Taking on more hands-on work, Matthew connected with a number of THEI alumni, formerly incarcerated THEI students who have returned home, and offered them one-on-one peer support. His previous experience volunteering in the mental health unit as a peer-to-peer support and recovery coach allowed him to step into these responsibilities with confidence and a sense of purpose.
Matthew's involvement grew beyond these alumni meetings. He began serving on the application and admissions boards for THEI’s housing network, which provides housing opportunities for alumni reentering society. Matthew now assists in reviewing applications, making recommendations, and offering input into the future of the program. He also took on the task of reviewing and editing THEI's Housing Network Handbook.
“It’s so much more than just reaching people in the prison system. It’s what we do when those people come home.” – Matthew
What was originally planned as a single internship, from mid-May to the end of August 2024, has since transformed into a much deeper commitment. Team THEI has fully embraced Matthew as part of our community, and discussions began about extending his stay as a Research Fellow. Now, he’s set to continue in this role until next year and will begin his second internship with THEI in May 2025, completing the requirements for his degree.
Matthew’s work with THEI has pushed him to think beyond both Tennessee and Maine, prompting questions about the broader reentry landscape. Through his research, he’s gained insight into what reentry programs in Tennessee and other states are doing well, and the contrast with his state, Maine, has been stark.
Through conversation with THEI team members like Hannah Malkofsky-Berger and Drost Kokoye, Matthew has discussed setting a precedent that can inspire other states, highlighting MSP’s support for Matthew’s internship and exemplifying what’s possible when reentry is done right with the proper infrastructure to adequately support people returning home. “The opportunity presented to me is layered,” Matthew says, “Being able to work with THEI and see programs like Ogburn House and other reentry services has presented so much more potential for reentry.”
Receiving his first paycheck from THEI, with financial support from the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison, was a milestone that carried immense personal significance for Matthew. When he shared the news with his significant other, she cried with him. When he sent money home for the first time, his entire family delighted in the same tears of joy.
“The great thing about succeeding in this internship with THEI is that it opens doors to normalize more opportunities like this. This experience has shown me the positive contributions I can make within Maine’s prison system and systems throughout the country.” - Matthew
For Matthew, this internship has been about more than just gaining experience—it’s been transformative in his ability to envision a brighter future for all justice-impacted people. Through his work with THEI, he is not only contributing to reentry efforts but is also taking steps toward a future where deinstitutionalization is a real, tangible possibility for him and others.
