At just 18, Kerwin Pittman found himself facing the challenges of life behind bars due to a conspiracy to commit murder. However, after spending 11 and a half years incarcerated, including a year in solitary confinement, he emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Now, eight years after his release, he is making history as the first former inmate to purchase a prison in the United States.
Following his release, Pittman dedicated himself to advocating for social justice, establishing the Recidivism Reduction Educational Program Services, Inc. (RREPS), a nonprofit aimed at supporting individuals who have been incarcerated in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Through RREPS, he has created a positive impact in the community, helping to reduce re-offending rates and providing a range of essential services.
Pittman has developed a variety of programs, including an anti-recidivism hotline and mentorship opportunities, along with a mobile recidivism reduction center. This innovative bus travels to those in need, offering resources for housing, employment, mental health care, and much more. The message on the bus, “Recidivism Reduction Center,” boldly represents his commitment to changing lives.
Now, Pittman is embarking on an exciting new project: the Recidivism Reduction Campus, a facility designed for housing and job training for formerly incarcerated individuals, located on the site of the former Wayne County Correctional Center. This building, which has been empty since 2013, was purchased by Pittman for $275,000 in November 2025. The transformation will require about $2 million, and he is optimistic about securing funding through private donations as well as local and state support.
Pittman envisions this effort as a beacon of hope. He stated, "This effort is not about continuing incarceration. It is a blueprint for transformation, led by those who have lived it. It represents a powerful redefinition of justice in America, from incarceration to ownership, from punishment to purpose."
His motivation stems from a desire to break the cycle of recidivism. In North Carolina, nearly half of those released from state prisons were re-arrested within two years, highlighting the urgent need for effective support systems. Pittman aims to change this narrative with his campus, which will provide transitional housing, mental health services, workforce training, and valuable life skills resources.
Pittman recognizes the importance of stability for those re-entering society. He recalls the challenges faced by many of his friends after their release, often lacking a safe place to call home. The Recidivism Reduction Campus is designed to accommodate up to 300 residents at a time, offering a six-month program that includes industry certifications for in-demand jobs.
This initiative is groundbreaking, as it reimagines the use of a former correctional facility into a space for healing and opportunity. The RREPS website beautifully captures this vision, stating, “Once a site of confinement, the former Wayne Correctional Prison is now being transformed into the first campus in the United States purchased and repurposed by a formerly incarcerated person to serve as a hub for reentry, healing, and opportunity.”
The transformation will involve thoughtful redesigns, such as removing barbed-wire fences and prison bars, creating a nurturing environment that resembles a college dormitory rather than a traditional correctional facility. Pittman’s aim is to foster a sense of community and belonging for the residents.
Reflecting on his journey, Pittman shares how his experiences have inspired him to support others: “Me going into the system young, getting in trouble and being able to come out on the other side of that — it made me want to be able to help other people.”
This new chapter is not just about Pittman; it symbolizes hope for everyone who has felt marginalized and for families longing for their loved ones to return whole. As he eloquently stated, “It’s about showing this country that when we invest in people, especially those closest to the pain, real change happens.”
Through his tireless efforts, Pittman embodies the spirit of resilience and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance. The future looks bright, and positive change is on the horizon for those seeking a new beginning.
