At first it was a grievous thing when Emmitt Wright was sentenced to life in prison under the law of accountability for murder, meaning he did not commit the act but was accused of being associated with the crime. Now 43, Brother Emmitt Wright has served 25 years of his sentence and is currently incarcerated at the Hill Correctional Center in Illinois.
However, since being incarcerated, he has taken it upon himself to change the course of his life and the lives of others.
Nation of Islam Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad said he admires Bro. Emmitt Wright. While he conducted religious services on behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, he watched how Bro. Emmitt Wright established a study group while serving time.
“I know it was several years he attended my class and I always liked his countenance and aura. All of them conducted themselves with respect as Believers. They stuck together and really represented the Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. I was able to get DVDs—actually, they fought to get the DVDs played,” he added.
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As a motivator and helper of Min. Farrakhan for the incarcerated, Student Min. Abdullah Muhammad said he could bear witness to the transformation of the Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad on Bro. Emmitt Wright.
“I would say he impacted others the way he was impacted the way he accepted the Teachings. He established the study group circle himself,” Student Min. Abdullah Muhammad continued.
“You can see the strength in him, at least I can. You know he’s a Believer and was transformed because we have a saying ‘a brother wants for his brother what he wants for himself.’ Anytime you enter the study of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s Teachings, you enter into unity. So, you may not be conscious of what you’re doing but anytime you set up a circle of study, that’s what you’re doing,” he explained.
Brother Lionel Muhammad, a dedicated helper in the Nation of Islam Prison Reform Ministry said, he watched Brother Emmitt Wright mentor other inmates for years and dedicate his life to the life-giving Teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. “Brothers like Emmitt are—I mean, I love these guys with my heart—because he’s in prison for something he didn’t even do,” Bro. Lionel Muhammad told The Final Call. Recently, Bro. Lionel Muhammad and FOI (Fruit of Islam, the men of the Nation of Islam) attended a clemency hearing for Bro. Emmitt Wright to show their support.
“He’s serving life, but we went to his hearing yesterday. I mean when I say a large support system, I talked to all the family members. The hearing officer said, ‘I believe if they allow the Nation of Islam to come in the streets, murder wouldn’t be in the streets like it is now,’” said Bro. Lionel Muhammad.
Alongside Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad, Bro. Lionel Muhammad has been working in the community and inside jails and prisons teaching Islam as taught by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad under the direction of Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Like many Bro. Lionel Muhammad has seen transformation in their lives once introduced to Islam. Bro. Emmitt was no exception, he explained.
“I see a tremendous reception. Like where he’s at now, the reception of those that are in the prison is overwhelming,” he continued. “He’s not a dumb person. See, the Teachings make you think before you talk. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad didn’t want us to be ignorant followers. He wanted us to study. Emmitt has a tremendous impact on the inmates that’s there. He’s setting an example for them.”
Like Bro. Emmitt Wright, the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad dignifies and transforms human life, regardless of their circumstance. The mission and work of the Nation of Islam’s Prison Reform Ministry has decades long history of working and ministering to those who are incarcerated throughout the country.
It is in his decision to change that Bro. Emmitt became so impactful to others, said Bro. Lionel Muhammad.
“He does a mentoring program in the prison. He mentors the younger brothers who come in,” he explained. “What the Honorable Elijah Muhammad gave us through the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has turned my work into love. When I say I love what I do, I get so much out of it. “
Bro. Emmitt Wright continues to proclaim his innocence and attended a Sept. 7 clemency hearing in hopes that his case can be reviewed, and his sentence reduced. Meanwhile he continues to help in the mission of reforming those who are incarcerated through sharing what Islam has done for him.
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