Mike Epps Addresses Backlash For Saying Men Shouldn’t Be Celebrated For Coming Home After Serving Time: We Don’t Want To Send A Message To The Kids That Prison Is Great’

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Mike Epps Addresses Backlash For Saying Men Shouldn’t Be Celebrated For Coming Home After Serving Time: We Don’t Want To Send A Message To The Kids That Prison Is Great’

#MikeEpps kicked off his week by addressing backlash over recent interviews.

In a video posted to Instagram, the comedian and actor responded to criticism following his conversation with #JimJones, where he said that celebrating someone simply for being released from jail is the “wrong journey to celebrate.” He also added, “There’s no reward to coming home after 30 years… you’re a failure.” Seeking to clarify his stance, Mike said he has always “been a part of reform” and feels people “misunderstood his comments.” He explained, “Wasn’t saying it was wrong to be celebrated, but we don’t want to send a message to the kids saying ‘prison is great,’… I don’t think that’s cool.”

Mike also clarified remarks he made on The Breakfast Club regarding people on #SNAP, noting that his intention was simply to encourage others to work toward “breaking the cycle of being on food stamps” generation after generation.