Former Illinois Governor Reports to Prison
By: Web Producer
Updated: November 7, 2007
The former Governor of Illinois, George Ryan, is in prison.
He surrendered at the minimum-security federal prison in Oxford, Wisconsin shortly after noon Wednesday.
Ryan left his Kankakee home early that morning with his wife and family.
They had breakfast at a downtown Chicago pancake house, then Ryan took off for prison with his lawyer and fellow former Governor Jim Thompson.
He was sentenced to 6 and a half years for his convictions on federal racketeering and fraud charges, but still says he's innocent.
Ryan's attorneys are fighting for a hearing before the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming jury deliberations in the trial were flawed.
His attorneys requested he be assigned there because it will be easier for his family to make visits.
The 73-year old Ryan can have visits once every two weeks.
He will be able to take phone calls, but time on the phone will be limited and those conversations will be monitored.
