Denver Catholic

CATHOLIC LIFE I 7 DENVER CATHOLIC REGISTER I DECEMBER 11, 2013 Inmate's drawing of Mary benefits Capuchins' ministry Prisoner's work raises $3,000 at gala BY NISSA LAPOINT No one is beyond the salvation of God, not even Herbert "Pee Wee" Perkins, a mentally-ill man sentenced to life in the nation's most locked-down prison in Colorado. The 37-year-old, who was imprisoned at Supermax prison in Florence for armed robbery, was recognized at the Capuchin Franciscan friars' annual Brown Robe Benefit at the Grand Hyatt Denver Hotel in October. "This prisoner has undergone a remarkable transformation," said his attorney Ed Aro of Arnold and Porter LLP in a video , about the friar's prison ministry. Perkins' penciled depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which he asked to be used to help the poor, was auctioned off for $3,000 at the gala. "No one ever trained him. It's a beautiful work of art he gave us," said Father Cyrus Gallagher, O.F.M., Cap. The Denver friar began ministering to Perkins when he entered prison at 15 years old. The inmate, born into a family entrenched in the gang culture in New Mexico, was given PHOTO PROVIDED AN IMAGE of Our Lady of Guadalupe by inmate Herbert Perkins was auctioned at a gala. His father reportedly shot drugs by his parents, including himself in the head when cocaine, at a young age. "His father and uncles and talking to Perkins on the phone. everyone in his neighborhood Since then, Perkins has been diwere members of a Hispanic agnosed with major depression, street gang," Aro said in the vid- antisocial personality disorder, eo. "As a child, that was the life and symptoms of post-trauhe was almost inevitably drawn matic stress disorder, according to a lawsuit filed in 2012. into." All Spring Shows on sale Alton Brown Live! He attempted suicide twice after entering the Supermax prison in 2008. Officials denied him medication for his depression. The Capuchin Franciscans visit prisoners, including the poor and sick, like Perkins at Supermax, the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood and youth detention centers. "(These are) human beings that have made big mistakes, but no one is beyond the salvation and redemption of the Lord," said fellow Capuchin Franciscan Father Barnabas Eichor. When Father Gallagher visited Perkins, he talked about God's desire to forgive. He said the prisoner's heart began to open up. A transformation began for Perkins inside his 12-by-7-foot cell. Using the talents he once used for gang graffiti, Perkins drew an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in blue, orange, pink and green. He gave the image to the friar who had it framed. Father Gallagher shared with Perkins how the original artwork was auctioned off during their annual gala. With tears, Perkins reportedly told the friar, "This is the first time anyone ever affirmed me for anything good I ever tried to do." "I, too, got teary-eyed," Father Gallagher said in the gala video, "because under the circumstances this was a major thing." Aro later represented Perkins and other inmates in a June 2012 lawsuit alleging the Bureau of Prisons transferred mentally-ill prisoners to Supermax in violation of its policy against housing such inmates there. Some prisoners in the suit reportedly swallowed razor blades, mutilated themselves, suffered hallucinations and attempted suicide. Perkins was recently transferred to a prison in Atlanta where he'll receive mental health care. The Capuchin Franciscans of Mid-America are members of a religious order that together minister to the underserved in more than 100 countries worldwide. They follow the example of St. Francis of Assisi to surrender their worldly possessions and commit their lives to those in greatest need. Aro likened the friar's prison ministry to "going to visit the lepers who no one else wants to touch." Nissa LaPoint: 303-715-3138; nissa.lapoint@archden.org; www. twitter.com/DCRegisterNissa NOW!! Ten Tenors on Broadway Wed., Feb. 5, 7pm Fri., Feb. 28, 7:30pm Royal Moscow Ballet Fri., Mar. 21, 7:30pm Tracy Lawrence & John Anderson Late Night Catechism Sat., Apr. 12, 7:30pm Sat., Mar. 22, 7:30pm A Tribute to the Beatles Celtic Woman Tue., Apr. 22, 7pm Church Basement Ladies See the complete lineup online and get your tickets now! Fri., May 9, 7:30pm Sun., May 4, 2pm ucstars.com 970.356.5000 • 701 10th Ave., Greeley season sponsors: The City of Greeley proudly owns and operates the UCCC media sponsor: accommodations provided by:

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