Sherman Mitchell has helped more than 100 lifers to get out of prison

By Peter Day
Staff Writer

The letters come pouring in to the tune of about 40 a week.

All the letter writers — both men and women — are in prison, and most have no hope of ever getting out.

For the most desperate, Sherman Mitchell, a retired government worker who lives on a sleepy road in rural Lucerne Valley, is their last chance at freedom. Over the past decade, Mitchell, a large, relaxed gentleman with a kind smile, has played a key role in liberating more than 100 inmates in prison for life.

Large piles of letters on Mitchell's coffee table have return addresses from Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and numerous other states.

"I get letters from all over," Mitchell says. "I get them from Pelican Bay, Chowchilla Women's Prison, Gig Harbor, Washington, all over."

One man, who was in prison for 30 years, now is married and living in Apple Valley after Mitchell did what he does best — vouch for the man's character, his accomplishments in prison and support system. Another man named Jerome was sent to juvenile detention, and later prison, at the age of 14.

"He said he didn't commit the crime."

After Jerome was freed following Mitchell's letter of recommendation — he is now in his mid-40s — he found a solid job working at a Beverly Hills law firm.

"After you've been in prison 30 years, 22 years you've been rehabilitated," he says. "Most of these people have done these things when they were kids."

Most people Mitchell helps are all but forgotten inmates whose luck changed for the better when they heard of the deeds performed by Mitchell and wrote him a letter. One person, however, became well-known after former Gov. Gray Davis commuted her sentence. Rose Parker-Sterling, now an ordained minister, served 15 years of a 27 years to life sentence for killing her abusive boyfriend, was assisted by Mitchell. Ten years after her release, Davis' successor, then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, issued a pardon to Parker-Sterling. Since then, she has become a motivational speaker, author and TV/radio personality.

Some of those he helps have been model inmates and earned college degrees while incarcerated. Sometimes, however, time is not on their side. One woman died of cancer before she was released from prison.

"It makes you think about life."

Another person was sentenced to 75 years for killing someone in a drug deal.

"He's out now. He's doing good."

Mitchell has a heart for those in prison because he once was lost himself. Originally from Crowley, Louisiana, Mitchell enlisted in the Air Force and served two tours in Vietnam. Afterward, however, Mitchell's life took a turn. He started abusing alcohol and drugs and was arrested several times.

"My life was unmanageable."

After hitting bottom, he asked God to guide his life.

"And I learned to give back to the community."

That realization led him to his prison ministry. Altogether he estimates he receives about 500 letters a year and has helped lifers for the last 25 years — all free of charge.

"It's not right," Mitchell said. "People are denied parole. Some of them want to get back to their community."

Mitchell prays to God that the lifers will be released.

"I don't charge people. I just help people who can't help themselves"

While some people may question Mitchell's ministry, he believes the proof is in the results. "I haven't heard of any of them going back to prison," he said. "Most of these prisoners have done these things when they were kids."

Worked at marine base

After living in the Los Angeles area, Mitchell moved to the High Desert, worked at the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Barstow and 27 years ago began pastoring Mt. Zion Baptist Church located on the outskirts of town on a northern stretch of Camp Rock Road. In 2003, he retired from his job after 32 years and a few years later later moved to Lucerne Valley.

But in 2005, another life-changing event occurred. He was diagnosed with cancer, but more than 10 years after he was diagnosed "I have not trace of it."

Today, he has been clean and sober for 31 years. He has 21-year-old twins, one is a daughter who majors in music at Cal State San Bernardino and a son who plans on going into law enforcement. "Mitch" is often seen around town, shopping at the Market or stopping by Master Ruben's Karate Studio to say hello. But his most meaningful moments are at home, tending to his seemingly endless pile of letters.

"I do what God wants me to do," Mitchell said. "This is what God has me doing. I know it's His will."