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Illinois

At 40 years old, Landus Jackson walked out of Vienna Correctional Center on Tuesday morning wearing street clothes and a smile after spending the majority of his 30s behind bars — about 8 1/2 years total for drug- and gun-related offenses in Alexander County.

The first thing he did was wrap his arms around his 16-year-old daughter and then his father and cousin, who were there to greet him and take him home. But before the family headed out toward Mound City, with plans to get breakfast along the way, there was a brief ceremony for Jackson as state officials granted him his cosmetology license.

Though cameras and a celebration do not typically greet former inmates returning to society, Illinois Department of Corrections officials considered this a special occasion because Jackson, thanks to new regulatory changes aimed at reducing barriers to employment, has the distinction of being the first to leave a state prison with a professional license in hand.

“I just want to say this is a testimony, and I’m a witness that God is good,” Jackson said after state prison officials handed him that license. “… I want to thank Ms. Moyers as well. She’s been real good to me, real good.” […]

DOC Director John Baldwin, also in a statement, said he was “extremely proud” of this step taken by regulators.

“Everyone deserves a second chance and that is exactly what Landus is getting today — a fair shot at finding employment that will increase his odds of not returning to IDOC custody.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:49 am

Comments

Cue campaign commercial from House Democrats attacking this as ’soft on crime’ in 3, 2…

Comment by so... Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:51 am
+1

Comment by Piece of Work Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:57 am
Nice story.

Comment by Keyser Soze Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:59 am
All the best to Landus as he begins his life outside of the penal system.

Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 11:59 am
How many more could be entitled to gainful employment after incarceration if appropriate programs and assistance were put in place?

Oh, I forgot, we are going to reduce the inmate population by 25% and are not going to do anything to reduce recidivism.

Thanks for the post.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:08 pm
This is a huge step in the right direction. The licensing process through IDFPR, IDPH, et. al. can be extremely time consuming which gives parolees plenty of time to get into more trouble. With license in hand, Mr. Jackson is immediately employable; especially in cosmetology. Most are self-employed or private contractors so their felon status doesn’t usually hinder employment opportunities. In fact, I’d be surprised if he didn’t have a job offer pending when he was released. Good stuff!

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:09 pm
This is great! Good job to DOC for providing him with access to training, good job to DFPR for getting him licensed so that he could hit the ground running, and good job to Landus for being wise and taking the opportunity!

Comment by Agricola Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:14 pm
Hey Illini, nice hyperbole. You certainly have no idea what steps are being take to address your post. And by the way, this a +1 item. Why not show some positive reaction to steps being taken to reduce recidivism?

Comment by New Slang Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Grace

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:29 pm
Excellent. We need news like this.

Comment by illinoised Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:32 pm
@NewSlang - agreed, I am not inside the program and maybe do not know what steps are being taken, or programs being put in place, to address this problem and the continuing problems being faced by those released inmates that have to disclose that have been incarcerated.

Please give specifics if you can.

And, I did not mean this to be hyperbole. Only to make the point that probably much more could be done. This is the first I have heard of something like this and I wish Mr. Jackson only the best.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:44 pm
Hopefully we will always be a nation of second chances.

FREE BLAG0!!!!

Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:49 pm
I’m truly happy for this gentleman in a very sincere way.

The snarky side of me mused that this may become the most cost efficient way to get a license. /ss

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 12:53 pm
Good luck, Landus!

Comment by John Doe Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 1:14 pm
The story sparked memories of the old Frank’s Barber Shop in the Monadnock Building. down around the federal plaza and Board of Trade.

Frank’s was always hopping — six chairs, shoe-shine stations, a couple of ladies doing nails for the swells (all-male clientele; judges, lawyers, traders, federales law enforcement).

Frank was a highly successful small businessman, putting people to work.

He was also Frank Yonder, a notorious 1960s Outfit-connected burglar/robber/home invader.

Frank did some nasty things during his run. He got so hot, the Outfit’s top CPD mole, Bill Hanhardt, shut him down and brought him in.

Frank did his time, and by all accounts, after he got out, went straight, all the way.

Redemption is possible, and is the goal of the “corrections” exercise. Good luck, Landus.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 2:22 pm
Best of luck. License is nice. Will have to find employer willing to overlook record.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Oct 5, 16 @ 2:22 pm