In recent years, Kim Kardashian West has been tackling the prison reform process, lending aid to inmates, both current and former. She's provided resources for those that were otherwise lost to the system, and once again she's putting her money where her mouth is. Kardashian has contributed to getting the First Step Act passed, and one of the first people to take advantage of the new prison reform act is Matthew Charles, a man who was granted clemency earlier this year.
Kardashian first came across Charles' story on Twitter after seeing an article that was posted about his case. Charles served 20 of his 35-year prison sentence for a non-violent drugs and weapons charge, and back in 2016, he was granted early release. However, Charles later learned that the news was a mistake and he was ordered to serve out the remainder of his term.
“Kim then met with President Trump in May of last year to speak to him about pardoning Alice Johnson, and also mentioned Matthew Charles in that conversation,” Tim Hardiman, a senior producer at CMT in Nashville explained to Us Weekly. “She later discussed Matthew’s situation when she met with the president in September.”
After being released, Charles immediately set forth to get back on his feet, but he was met by a roadblock. He tried to find a place to live, but because of his past record, he was denied. “Kim reached out privately to Matthew yesterday after hearing he was having a hard time getting approved for an apartment and has generously offered to pay five years of his rent,” Hardiman continued. “He was overwhelmed by Kim’s offer and graciously accepted. Her generosity will allow him to save enough money to eventually put a down payment on a house. It’s truly changed his life.”
According to Us Weekly, Charles expressed his thanks to Kardashian on Facebook. “I just received the most wonderful news tonight that I just had to share with everyone,” he wrote. “Kim Kardashian-West … heard about my situation. Was moved and has decided to help me. And to me in an unbelievable way. Kim did not do this for attention or publicity, but I had to share it, because it’s too good not to, and my heart is about to burst with happiness, that I wish you to rejoice in this news with me. And many of your responses about the outcome of my dilemma prophesied it. GOD IS GOOD!!!. WHAT THE DEVIL MEANT FOR BAD, GOD REVERSED AGAIN, FOR MY GOOD."