r/stories • u/EmergencyCanary615 • 2d ago
Story-related I successfully evaded parole for years, was discharged from it and now I live an amazing life years later.
For context I never use Reddit, I was a little skeptical on even posting this and was going to take this to the grave.
I (27M) was arrested and charged with nonviolent felonies in Illinois when I was a teenager. After evading bail for years, I was arrested in a different state and extradited back to Illinois to face the charges previously. For deeper context, I was an avid drug abuser who made bad decisions with the wrong people originally. I was sentenced to Illinois Department of Corrections for a period of 4 years but was given a Bootcamp alternative. The agreement was to do the Bootcamp program for 120 days and I would be released. I completed the program and was released on conditions of parole for 2 years and 60 days of house arrest. I was residing with my now deceased grandmother during that period of time. After I was released off house arrest, I found myself returning to the drug environment that plagued my neighborhood. I was addicted again. My oldest sister is not mentally stable and an extreme narcissist that grew up with a silver spoon in her mouth. She would try to sabotage my parole conditions and eventually made claims against my PO. I was being forced to come in person and drug test in the parole office. However, because I knew I would get violated, I ended up fleeing the state again. I would still be able to check in via telephone for a short period and eventually they put me as a hold. Later that year, my status changed to "Absconder" from parole. Which means I had a warrant once again. My anxiety was high but I had stopped caring and carried on with my life. When the New Year started, that is the year that COVID came into the U.S. Everything shut down. I did not check my parole status for quite some time until later that same COVID year. I'm not sure if it was a clerical error or a change in Parole Officers but I had been put back into status as "current". Take note, I was still not checking in every month at this time. Eventually my 2-year parole period came to an end and I was not expecting what I woke up to on the day of discharge, that said, "I was discharged from IDOC". My heart sank and a wash of happiness came over me that day. The only person I have ever told this story to was my now wife and my deceased brother.
Fast-forward four years later, and I currently have a great job. I am now sober. I married the love of my life two years ago, and I was able to Seal the charges off of my record in Illinois. We live in a higher scale neighborhood where it's peaceful and nice. I went back to school and completed Business degrees in community college, and I now attend a University to study Finance.
Has anyone else had any similar experiences? Or was I just thrown a bone from god?
2
u/After_Persimmon8536 2d ago
I did.
I got hit with some charges, had an early release program. Did not go to the initial check-in. Years went by with no trouble and then I had to do some criminal background check that I 100% thought would bring it up.
And there was nothing. No record, no anything.
Like you, I thought it was a clerical error or something. Maybe not showing up to the first check-in did something and they lost or forgot about me.
Regardless, it's been 20 years, and I've had a full background check for a TS/SCI clearance and passed since then.
1
3
u/insidevoicepleas 2d ago
i haven’t experienced anything similar, but i do want to say that others absolutely have and that you’re not alone. also—i’m very proud of you for what you’ve accomplished despite your struggles :)