T.I. Bails Out Nonviolent Offenders for Easter

T.I. celebrated Easter by granting freedom to some nonviolent offenders.

According to D.C.’s Fox 5, the rapper partnered with a Georgia church, as well as Scrapp Deleon of VH1’s “Love and Hip Hop,” to raise $120,000 to bail out 23 nonviolent, predominantly first-time offenders.

The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia initially set out to raise $40,000, but by the end of Lent, they had reached $120,000, allowing seven women and 16 men to be brought home in time for Easter Sunday.

As part of the “Bail Out” program, each individual will also be connected with a mentor for weekly check-in meetings. A portion of the donations will also go towards college savings for the children of the recipients, including Tyron Pollard.

“For people to just reach out, willing to help out of the blue, them not knowing you from nobody…that’s a blessing,” said Pollard. “I was doing drugs before I got locked up … but I don’t want to do nothing but do right and strive to be a model citizen for my kids.”

Dr. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor at New Birth, applauded the efforts of the “Bail Out” program. “It’s almost like finally meeting the good Samaritan – somebody who you don’t know that you didn’t see coming,” said Bryant. “They’re appreciative to be able to press the refresh button.”

T.I. has become an activist in his community. He recently spoke out against Fox News host Laura Ingraham following her disrespectful comments in the wake of Nipsey Hussle’s death. Earlier this year, he called for a boycott of Gucci over its wool jumper, which sparked controversy for its depiction of blackface.