WAUKEGAN, Ill. (AP) — Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan is calling for legislation that would keep convicts from being labeled as felons for the remainder of their lives.
Ryan was speaking Friday before the Coalition to Reduce Recidivism’s 12th annual luncheon in Waukegan. He told attendees the “felon” tag is a deterrent to someone looking for a job.
The Republican Ryan spent more than five years behind bars on corruption charges. He said during his incarceration at a Terre Haute, Indiana federal prison he saw many young men who have to wear the felon tag “for the rest of their lives.”
Ryan noted that when released convicts have served their debt to society, the felon tag ought to be removed by law.
