* WGN’s Ben Bradley interviewed former Gov. George Ryan about the death penalty and other things…
Ryan spent months meeting with death penalty opponents as well as the families of crime victims. They were on a collision course.
And there was a dark cloud hanging over the governor’s deliberations: A scandal from his days as Secretary of State called “Licenses for Bribes.”
“That was always the message I got from a lot of people during the investigation that I did it for a reason. I think I put a big X on my back as far as prosecutors and the government was concerned. They sure didn’t like what I did,” Ryan said,
Ryan is convinced his opposition to the death penalty inspired prosecutors to throw the book at him but Ryan’s own book includes a forward by author, lawyer and capital punishment opponent Scott Turow that reads in part: “To get the unpleasantries out of the way, despite my affection for Governor Ryan, I believe the evidence supported his conviction on corruption charges.” […]
Ryan talks about his time in prison.
“It was an absolutely waste of time,” he said. “Six-and-a-half or seven years. They could’ve put me on the street. They could’ve put me in some kind of public service, raise money for some kind,” he said.
Thoughts?
- Leaving Illinois Soon - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:19 pm:
Great to see George is still full of hubris.
- Fav Human - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:22 pm:
his opposition to the death penalty inspired prosecutors to throw the book at him
And I think his opposition was to try to get a lighter sentence when he was convicted.
As for waste of time, the idea is to DETER others from doing the same crime. That’s why Rod got a much heavier sentence, as the message didn’t sink in.
I am wondering if Rod’s heavy sentence convinced those who did a plea in the current investigation to play ball more quickly?
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:27 pm:
My dad was a big Republican supporter from Reagan to 2016. After the George Ryan fundraiser during the 1998 race he said, “George Ryan is the most pompous ***hole I have met in my entire life.” I will never forget that because my dad almost always downplayed the boorish behavior of other people.
Hey George, your actions killed people. Your sentence was rather light compared to your victims.
- KSDinCU - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:27 pm:
It’s a foreword, not a forward. And if it were at the end of the book, it would be an afterword. Tiny rant over.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
He is right about waste of time but it is a waste of time for lots of people. When would letting rich bankers, politicians White collar criminals not do time start reeking of privilege? But also chance of re offending virtually nil. Lots off people that are in prison could do something useful but sometimes fairness and deterrence (not that deterrence works for Illinois politicians) call for prison time.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
Yes, he’s completely right that it was a waste of time in terms of most of the reasons we talk about incarcerating people. Out of office, he certainly was no threat to anyone, and at his age, he was unlikely to “rehabilitate” or “reform”. But letting him walk would have sacrificed the deterrent factor for later pols, which was probably the one reason to lock him up (though it clearly didn’t work on his successor).
His support for ending the death penalty probably did put a bit of a target on his back though. Prosecutors at all levels still love to bemoan the loss of the death penalty, and the loss of the ability to trade life in prison for a guilty plea. As they like to say, with no death penalty on the table, it’s now in most defendant’s best interest to roll the dice with a trial.
That said, I am 100% against the death penalty.
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:31 pm:
They could’ve put me in some kind of public service, raise money for some kind,” he said.
Unmm he was in public service when he committed the crimes. He had his chance.
And how would he raise money? Sell some driver’s licenses? Get the gang back together and sell tickets to fundraisers?
- Bob_Loblaw - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:33 pm:
Agreed, prison is a waste of time and resources, and if it’s meant to deter crime, it’s odd that crime has been trending downward for decades yet we’ve concurrently managed to build the most heavily incarcerated country on Earth
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:33 pm:
GHR
This is so much larger than Ryan speaking of himself in this instance;
=== Ryan talks about his time in prison.
“It was an absolutely waste of time,” he said.===
It might be accurate speaking in his situation, or sentencing, or any type of framing, arguably, GHR could be right.
But the thing about time, with context, and perspective to both, Ryan’s sentence was also suppose to be a big flashing light, a warning, a big ole signal to those following… don’t do things that you may think are one thing, but legally aren’t those things at all, and you’ll pay, no easy “college” stint.
Enter Rod Blagojevich.
Was anything learned? Were warnings heeded? Was there a sense of pause to what powers he had and the corrupt that could ruin him?
That’s where time, context, historic knowledge… nothing was learned. Nothing.
Much of that reality of GHR to Rod, it’s a showcase of how judicial decisions on sentencing seemingly, with individuals, are ignored, there is no greater lesson for the masses.
As Rod now touts his hero, the President that commuted his sentence, both he and his hero calling an “unjust” sentence as well… is Ryan right now? Because Rod learned zero from his sentence, was the sentence a waste?
I still don’t think so. I may not think so, but GHR sees, like Rod sees, his own context, and still may not see what was being said with his sentence, even as Rod never saw the flashing lights after.
- Red Ketcher - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:37 pm:
” the evidence supported his conviction” But
the mechanics of the trial were flawed as to the Jury Questionaire respnses and selective dismissals.
He should have gotten a New Trial -
Same Result Likely - But should have been done right.
Don’t Think Position on Death Penalty mattered.
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:38 pm:
I spent four years in federal prison on a bogus pot charge…so I can’t really feel former Governor Ryan’s pain too tough.
Notice I said “spent”…any wasted time was on inmate Ryan…alone.
- Oldtimer - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
Wonder if George and Rod have chatted about how the judicial system wronged them?
- Keyrock - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
I agree with Fav Human. The opposition to the death penalty almost worked for Ryan to hang the jury.
The federal prosecutors who charged Ryan were likely all anti-death penalty. That’s not why he was prosecuted. He earned his conviction. And his sentence.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
===would have sacrificed the deterrent factor for later pols===
LOL
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, there is no such thing as a deterrent factor for corrupt politicians.
- Scott Fawell's Cellmate - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:46 pm:
Oof. Governor Ryan, you let your privilege show. Prison is the great equalizer. White collar, blue collar, no collar - you serve your sentence. (Unless Trump is in a mood, then you just walk away.)
George Ryan and Terry Link may want to remember what comedian Richard Pryor said when he left prison:
“I won’t talk about what it was like in prison, except to say I’m glad I’m out and that I plan never to go back and to pay my taxes every day.”
- @misterjayem - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:46 pm:
“Ryan calls prison sentence ‘an absolutely waste of time’”
Most of them are, George.
– MrJM
- thoughts matter - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:47 pm:
I’m sure most current and former inmates will say prison is a waste of their time. Although some use that time to get their GED, learn a skill or try to mature and learn from their mistakes. For someone of Ryan’s age and background, those things wouldn’t apply.
The question then would be - why should he be treated differently than anyone else taking bribes etc? Why shouldn’t he get the same sentence as the others? If he wants to make good use now of that wasted prison time, then start advocating for prison reform. Start trying to fix the system so it isn’t a waste of time. Start figuring out what will reduce recidivism.
- Ex-Felon - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:49 pm:
Clearly, prison is not an effective deterrence since prosecutors seem plenty busy these days with public corruption. That’s because prison isn’t about deterrence. It’s not about rehabilitation either. It’s about warehousing. I know. I did 3 years for a white collar crime. (And I take full responsibility for what I did. It was stupid and wrong. And I was lucky to just get 3 years.) Know what I did during that time? Played scrabble. Watched sports on TV. Exercised and got into the best shape of my life. Read the complete works of Shakespeare. Mostly, relaxed. All of which cost the taxpayers about $25k/year. For those who will argue that the answer is to make prison tougher, understand this: Doing so means hiring more guards and other personnel at a higher cost. Did I deserve to be punished for what I did? Absolutely. Was this the most cost effective way to do it in a State that probably spends more on Corrections than anything else? Absolutely not.
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:54 pm:
Choices come with consequences. To drop the consequences, or minimize them because the convicted felon finds it inconvenient, is to tell people there is no law at all.
As to lessons learned? A friend told me their boss ordered everyone to stop work, walk over to another building and sign a Christmas Card to their new Agency Director. On state time.
Some memories are short. At least they didn’t have to lay money in the card… this time.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:57 pm:
“===would have sacrificed the deterrent factor for later pols===” It drives me up a wall when I hear something like “this [conviction|legislation|etc] will send a message…”
To the post: At first I agreed it was a waste of time, but then whoever it was said “You had your dance and you blew it” swung me the other way. Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time.
- Leigh John-Ella - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 12:59 pm:
“… raise money for some kind,” he said.
I mean George could have overseen selling fundraising tickets in government offices or gotten cash out of CDL applicants.
Fresh off a corruption conviction for illegally profiting from his government duties, who wouldn’t hire George to fundraise for their cause?
Nice to see him fall back on his strengths.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
If we can only turn back time 22 years ago this fall and switch a few thousand more votes from Ryan to Poshard, how much different this state could have been since 1998.
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
The prison sentence certainly was not a “waste of time.” I and many other Illinoisans got to enjoy six-and-a-half or seven years without worrying how George would further screw our state. Perhaps he can take solace in that.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 1:41 pm:
=If there’s one thing we’ve learned, there is no such thing as a deterrent factor for corrupt politicians. =
=“===would have sacrificed the deterrent factor for later pols===” It drives me up a wall when I hear something like “this [conviction|legislation|etc] will send a message…”=
The point I was trying to make was that from the prosecutor’s perspective it was the only reason to put him in jail. No one from the USA office was talking at a press conference about rehabilitation or protecting the public from the danger Ryan posed on the street. They said it would “send a message.” We can all agree that it did not do that effectively.
So the point here is that if it was the only reason to lock him up, and it clearly didn’t work, then yes, it was absolutely a waste.
=The prison sentence certainly was not a “waste of time.” I and many other Illinoisans got to enjoy six-and-a-half or seven years without worrying how George would further screw our state. Perhaps he can take solace in that.=
He was out of office when he was tried. You already had that piece of mind without the sentence and cost of incarceration.
- Amalia - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 1:42 pm:
“prison is a waste of time.” I fear that if he were still governor, he would add to his blanket release from Death Row and would let people out who do not belong on the streets. at a worse rate than JB is doing now. justice is supposed to be on a case by case basis. with his Death Row action he violated that premise of the law.
- Eddie Spaghetti - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 1:45 pm:
The best argument for releasing Ryan from prison was he would stimulate the economy by spending the remaining stash of cash….
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 1:59 pm:
You’re not that special, George.
- Publius - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:00 pm:
Don’t blame me I voted for Poshard. Unlike with Rod everyone knew full well an investigation was ongoing during the election Most everyone looked the other way including those doing the investigation. https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/poshard-illinois-lost-something-in-all-of-this/article_bb372295-4a2d-58cf-a6f0-a1efb237097c.html
- Dotnonymous - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:10 pm:
Isn’t it strange that it’s the bribed rather than the bribers who are prosecuted…mostly.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:20 pm:
===They could’ve put me in some kind of public service===
He is ironically unaware that the reason why he is in prison is how he behaved the last time we “put him in some kind of public service.”
- Dan Johnson - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:41 pm:
We lock too many people up for way too long.
It is dumb.
And we don’t have speedy trials with speedy sentences that actual scare potential law breakers.
We should have fast, certain punishment but not for years and years.
Really, does the threat of 8 years or 15 years in prison versus 2 or 3 *really* change potential criminal behavior?
Better to hire more detectives than prison guards.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:43 pm:
I think we have a problem with corrupt former governors going to prison and learning absolutely nothing. Between Ryan and Rod, these guys have ZERO power of self-reflection.
- Unconventionalwisdom - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
Typical of a number of politicians who really believe that they are above the law.
And that ‘mind set’ continues ad infinitum.
- pool boy - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
“Chicago Cynic”, agree 100%.
- AD - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
Agreed with Dan Johnson. Shorter sentences and have them provide a value to society while in their. Maybe have each day working in prison doing something to benefit the community, state or country count as two days so they can cut their sentence in half. Not sure what they could work on, but I’m sure there’s plenty.
- Pundent - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 2:58 pm:
I can certainly appreciate that prison sentences often accomplish little if anything and they certainly aren’t a deterrent to corrupt politicians. But I do get a bit annoyed by Ryan’s suggestion that he was singled out and/or unfairly punished. It continues to suggest that he’s either unwilling to acknowledge his crimes or believes that his behavior wasn’t criminal.
- phenom_Anon - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:00 pm:
George Ryan being required to serve three meals a day at the soup kitchen for 7 years would have been a much better service to the public at much less cost.
- pool boy - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:25 pm:
How about this,in lieu of prison time, he could intern for Oswego Willy ( free of course) for seven years.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
=== he could intern===
No one deserves that, not for 7 years, not for 7 minutes
:)
- Chris Waller - Thursday, Sep 17, 20 @ 6:23 pm:
He still doesn’t get it…. Such arrogance.