'Play for Justice': Bucks visit Racine Correctional Institution as NBA focuses on social issues

Bill Glauber | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

STURTEVANT - This was about hoops, hope and redemption.

For a few hours Tuesday, a little bit of Fiserv Forum was brought into the Racine Correctional Institution.

There were DJs and Rim Rockers, the 414 Crew and Bango.

And there were players and coaches from the Milwaukee Bucks, one of the hottest teams in the NBA giving back during an off-day with a visit to a men's state prison.

It was all part of the NBA's "Play for Justice" initiative, with incarcerated individuals and those who have completed sentences telling their stories in a roundtable discussion followed by a pickup basketball game in a prison gym.

The Bucks didn’t come to play. They were there to listen, learn and inspire.

“We care about you,” Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said. "We're waiting for you when you get out."

The Racine event was held in partnership with the Bucks, Anti-Recidivism Coalition and Represent Justice. And it was launched alongside the upcoming film, "Just Mercy," about a wrongfully convicted person on death row in Alabama.

Scott Budnick, the producer of the film and co-founder of ARC, said the initiative’s aim is “humanizing folks behind prison walls and galvanizing people around criminal justice issues.”

The Sacramento Kings held the first “Play for Justice” event last week at Folsom State Prison in California.

Xavier McElrath-Bey, a formerly incarcerated individual from Chicago, said these events give those at the facility "a greater sense of self-worth."

"This team is seeing them," he said. “We recognize your humanity.”

Jacob Brevard, formerly incarcerated, was involved in the roundtable discussions here and at Folsom Prison.

"This is a university," he said. "You can learn a lot here."

Sitting in a circle in a visitor’s room, everyone shared a piece of themselves, telling their stories. Some had lost their way. All had hopes. And dreams.

Tears were shed. Connections were made.

"I just want to get out and do better," said Wesley Griffin, whose sentence runs several more years. "We’re human beings and everyone makes mistakes."

Some spoke of the lives they missed outside, the holidays they were unable to share with family, graduations they didn't see, children who they did not watch grow up.

One of those incarcerated, John Casper, spoke of his son who asked him: "When are you coming home?"

"I don't have an answer to that," Casper said.

Among those asked to participate in the roundtable was Tommy Brown, who will be released Friday after being incarcerated for nearly 30 years for armed robbery.

"It will be strange, almost like stepping out of a spaceship to a new dimension," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Donald Jackson, who was incarcerated for the first time when he was 12 years old, looked around the room and said: "Today I’m thankful. I see a lot of idols here. Man. It’s overpowering."

The players were moved.

"For me it has always been important to see the good in people … I believe in second chances," said guard Pat Connaughton.

Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted that he did things growing up that he was not proud of. He spoke of his family and his late father and he offered encouragement.

"Even when you’re still in here, you want to do better," he said.

"Sitting down in a circle like this, you stop judging, you start seeing how it is," said Kyle Korver.

And then Korver turned to one man who had expressed his frustration over his struggles, and said: "I’m sorry, brother, I’m sorry, I don’t know what the answer is. We have to keep sharing our stories."

George Hill talked about growing up in a rough part of Indianapolis and said: "You’re not a monster. You’re a human. You were going down the wrong path at the wrong time."

Sterling Brown discussed what happened to him in January 2018 during an incident with Milwaukee police. Brown is suing the City of Milwaukee for improper arrest, excessive use of force and violating his civil rights.

"A lot of work needs to be done with the criminal justice system," Brown said. "I need to do my part."

Among those to play in the game were Gov. Tony Evers, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Bucks coaches and those who are incarcerated.

Evers said the event “shines a light around issues of criminal justice reform.”

Hundreds of the facility’s residents watched. They ate popcorn and candy. They cheered.

And Bucks players were at midcourt, offering encouragement to the players.

It was loud and raucous, the sound of hope and joy echoing inside a prison gym.