Letter To President George W. Bush

Letter

The Honorable George W. Bush
The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

Former Illinois Governor George Ryan has been found guilty of violating the public trust and currently is serving the second year of his 6 ½ year prison sentence. Though no one can or should excuse his official misconduct, I am writing to ask that you consider commuting his sentence to time served.

George Ryan is 74 years old. He has lost his state pension benefits and a commutation will not restore them. He would emerge from prison facing economic uncertainty at this advanced stage of his life.

For those who would argue that a commutation makes light of his crimes, it is clear that he has already paid a significant price and will continue to do so as long as he lives. Justice is a sword that should be tempered with compassion. Further imprisonment will not, in my opinion, serve the ends of justice.

George Ryan's wife is in frail health. Over the last year, I have watched his wife bear the burden of his incarceration in addition to her own health challenges. She is a quiet, caring person who has paid a heavy personal price for her husband's wrongdoing.

I hope that you will consider commuting the sentence of George Ryan to time served. This action would not pardon him of his crimes or remove the record of his conviction, but it would allow him to return to his wife and family for their remaining years.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin

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