Quante Wright went from prisoner to college graduate in a matter of three years. A former Brighton Brigade gang member in Syracuse, N.Y., Wright pleaded guilty to more than a dozen charges, including attempted murder and selling crack cocaine.
Three years after leaving federal prison, Wright earned an associate’s degree in business from Bryant and Stratton College.
Wright is still paying for his crimes. He will remain on probation until at least 2017. He cannot associate with anyone holding felony records, forcing him to cut out many old friends and family.
Since his release, Wright has violated his probation three times, including once when he celebrated his graduation with a friend, also a convicted felon. As punishment, the recent graduate settled for living at a halfway house for two months.
Statistics do not favor former felons like Wright; in New York, 40 percent return to prison within three years. Almost 80 percent return because of probation violations.
Although Wright’s criminal background makes applying for jobs harder, he recently started a job as a car salesman.
In Wright’s new chapter, he has a surprising supporter. Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., formerly a federal prosecutor, led the task force to incarcerate Wright ten years ago.
This year, Katko sought out Wright only to praise him in a commencement speech at Wright’s graduation, the Syracuse Post-Standard reported.
“Quante. Where are you?” Katko said to the crowd. “I want to tell you I’m very proud of you. Keep it up.”
Wright’s life after prison shows that the transition from prison back to a regular life is not easy, but is possible. And Katko will be watching for even more achievements from Wright.
“I’ll be applauding the loudest,” Katko said.
Emily Leayman is an intern at the Washington Examiner.
