From gov to Mr. Clean
RYAN'S WIFE SPEAKS | He was cleaning workout room in his Wisconsin prison -- but now he's been moved to Indiana facility against his wishes
Every morning for the last several months, the former governor of Illinois awoke in his prison bed, ate a "tolerable" breakfast, then joined about a half dozen other inmates to clean out a workout room.
"He wipes off equipment," his wife, Lura Lynn Ryan, said of her husband's assigned task.
(AP file)
(Courtesy)
George Ryan, 74, was on track to start library duty at the Oxford Prison Camp in March.
But just as he fell into a routine at his first-choice prison in Wisconsin, everything changed Thursday, when he was transported to a prison camp in Terre Haute, Ind., apparently against his wishes.
In November, Ryan started serving his 6½-year sentence at Oxford Prison Camp in Wisconsin. That's where many high-profile inmates ask to do their time because of its low-key atmosphere and close proximity to Chicago.
However, Oxford adjusted the level of medical care offered to inmates and, under new regulations, cannot house anyone older than 70, according to U.S. Bureau of Prisons spokesman Mike Truman.
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Illinois' former first lady talked about her husband's first few months in prison, the difficulty of being apart and their intent to get through it together. She said he is in good spirits, has made fast friends and reports that prison food is "tolerable." They're still holding out hope for a successful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"I think the day will come when this will be all over. I think we will be back together again," Lura Lynn Ryan said. "George is a strong person, and we're getting through this no matter what happens."
Ryan was convicted of steering state contracts to friends and taking perks in return.
Spending nights without her husband has been the most difficult adjustment, Lura Lynn Ryan said. She has kept a strong faith, praying every night, even though "the Lord is a little slow in getting here sometimes."
"We've been married for 50-odd years. This is the first time we've been away [from each other] for this length of time," she said.
She and other family members drive four hours every other weekend to visit Ryan. Family gatherings that once took place around the table at Ryan's Kankakee home, often with Ryan cooking the meals, now are held in a prison camp cafeteria.
Just four family members are allowed to visit at a time and the food of choice comes out of vending machines.
"We come ready with our quarters," Lura Lynn Ryan said.
Terre Haute is about one hour closer to Chicago than Oxford.
There's an irony in Ryan being sent to Terre Haute. The federal prison system's only death chamber is housed at a neighboring, high-security institution. Ryan spent much of his last years as governor opposing the death penalty, emptied Illinois Death Row in 2003 and imposed a moratorium on executions in Illinois.
The chief witness at Ryan's trial, his former chief of staff, Scott Fawell, complained of conditions at Terre Haute when he was rerouted there on a return trip to his South Dakota prison.
"I've heard from clients that it's not a pleasant place," said Chicago defense attorney Larry Beaumont. "Their first choice is Oxford."
Ryan's projected release date is 2013.
Lura Lynn Ryan said her husband will keep a positive attitude wherever he goes, and she's confident he'll continue to make friends easily.
"George makes friends wherever he goes, and most of these people are good people," she said. "Most are there who shouldn't be there."