HOPE focuses on transitional housing in area for ex-inmates

Ken Cooper, at one time in his life, was a serial bank robber who sometimes took hostages.

He never killed anyone, and he was always polite while wielding his gun, telling them to do what the "nice robber" said. But he was eventually caught and sentenced to 99 years in prison.

To make a long story short, he ended up serving only three years.

Now, several years later, he is on a mission to help prisoners turn around their lives before they're released from prison.

Cooper will be in Cape Girardeau today to speak at a meeting sponsored by Project HOPE (Helping Other People Excel).

The purpose of the meeting is to draw attention to the need for faith-based transitional programs and transitional housing for prisoners.

Denis Rigdon, the chief executive officer for Project HOPE, said there is no transitional housing in Cape Girardeau. The nearest transitional house is in St. Louis. However, state funding has been secured to bring the housing to Cape Girardeau.

The meeting will also focus on the recruitment and training of more "mentors" to help former prisoners manage day-to-day life and steer them away from habits that could land them back in jail.

As for Cooper, he knows all about that.

Desperate financial situations drove him to rob banks initially. In 1969, his wife had just died after a nine-year battle with cancer and he was thousands of dollars in debt.

He used the money to pay off bills, even supported some charities with his loot. He had a soft spot for disadvantaged and homeless people who couldn't work or couldn't find a job.

Later, Cooper even took a job as director of tourism promotion for Kentucky. It was a job that more than met Cooper's financial needs. But he robbed banks anyway.

"Adrenaline can be very addicting," he said. "People think about substance abuse, but adrenaline is a chemical like a drug."

When he got out of prison, he put himself in a support group, became involved in church and also attended other addiction groups like Alcoholics Anonymous.

In Florida, he helped establish the nation's first faith-based prison, which he says has helped reduce the number of repeat offenders. He has been on committees aimed at preventing crime.

"I know I can't really give back," he said. "But this work will ease my conscience."

bmiller@semissourian.com

243-6635

WANT TO GO?

What: Project HOPE meeting to discuss need for transitional housing for former prisoners.

When: 9:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. today. A light lunch will be served.

Where: Terrace Room of the Victorian Inn