On May 1, 2006 I report to Sheridan Prison to begin my first day of employment.
When I found out Judge Paul Foxgrover, who convicted me erroneously, was serving his prison sentence in Illinois' East Moline Correctional Center, I attempted to get a transfer to that facility hoping to get Foxgrover to assist me in obtaining an appeal of his conviction. By the time I was transferred to East Moline, Foxgrover was permitted to go to a work release program. This program allowed one to finish their sentence outside the "prison gates" and assume employment toward a rehabilitation goal. I did not get this opportunity, even though I requested it also.
The present system in Illinois of determining clemency or expundgement does not meet any reasonable standard for those who have truly rehabilitated their lives. Congressman Danny Davis and State Representative Connie Howard are working feverishly toward a clemency and expundgement program that would fit the rehabilitation of those who have become a positive product to society.
Without clemency, individuals like myself are always "classed" as "continued" criminals being denied meaningful employment opportunities toward optimal success in life. This should be an outrage and an absurdity to our society as a whole. Change should be inevitable.
Governor of Illinois
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Re: Background Investigations Unit of IDOC
I put IDOC's Mike Funk's response to my appeal in the comment section of this writing. IDOC purposely conceals and evades accountability for their decision using language which suggests ambiguity in their decision making. Mr. Funk suggests visiting my brother, who was an inmate of IDOC, as a reason for my denial to contract with a company providing services to IDOC. I requested and was given permission from IDOC to visit my brother when he was incarcerated in IDOC from 1985 to 1991. My convictions and being a former inmate of IDOC is 14 and 10 years ago, respectively. Having contact with law enforcement is a daily exchange in "black" neighborhoods. I have not been convicted a crime. Being the subject of an Order of Protection when I was exonerated of the offense is bogus. Receiving military discipline in 1969, which did not result in a dishonorable discharge, is really reaching for a reason to deny my contractual employment.
Governor Blagojevich and Roger Walker Jr. inherited an institution built to provide employment to the "white" rural population. The employment position I applied for is targeted for "white" employment. I will never forget what I heard two East Moline IDOC officers state when a small child was accompanying his mother coming to visit his father. The stated, "Look at him, he will be here to take his father's place in a few years. I know my kids will have a job." The mother of the child heard the officers talking about her. She cursed at the officers as she walked by them. IDOC is job security to the rural "white" population. I believe I have been the target of discrimination. Litigation may be pending. Voters need to look very closely at Mr. Blagojevich. If Mr. Blagojevich allows an entity to operate as IDOC operates, we should assess his loyalties as African-Americans. The majority incarcerated prisoners in IDOC are African-Americans.
I have not received any correspondence or phone calls from Senator James Meeks or Illinois State Representative David Miller.
October 1, 2005
Illinois Department of Corrections
Background Investigations Office
Ms. Karen Espenschied, Background Investigations Unit
1301 Concordia Court/P.O. Box 19277
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9277
Re: Contractual Application at Sheridan CC – Appeal of denied for Contractual Employment with an outside entity
Ms. Espenschied:
I, Fred L Nance Jr., submitted an application for contractual employment with Gateway Foundation and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) on or about May 24, 2005. I submit this letter as a formal appeal to IDOC’s decision of denying my application for contractual services with Gateway and Sheridan Correctional Center, denial letter dated September 28, 2005. It appears my denial was based upon reports I made about my background. I will respond to the list reported in the IDOC denial letter.
I reported two convictions, which took place 16 years and 13 years ago, 1989 and 1992 respectively. When entering Chicago’s Department of Corrections (DOC) in 1992, I did not have a G.E.D. I obtained my G.E.D. in 1992 while in DOC custody. I was transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections’ Vandalia Correctional Center in or about August 1992, and began attending Junior College. I began attending Roosevelt University, which was in IDOC in or about May of 1993. I was released from IDOC custody on or about December 20, 1994. I continued my educational endeavors with Roosevelt University at their Chicago campus. I achieved a Bachelor and Master Degree from Roosevelt University. I am presently in a Ph.D. program with Walden University. I am 2 chapters from dissertation completion.
My Bachelor’s degree is in General Studies with a focus on Social Science and my Master’s degree is in Community Counseling. I have worked in various capacities in Social Services, such as a case manager and clinical counselor/therapist. I am a mental health professional. I hold certifications from the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc. (IAODAPCA), such as Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), and National Certified Recovery Specialist (NCRS). I hold a State Teacher Certificate from the State of Illinois for substitute teaching from Kindergarten to Grade 12, in all areas.
My doctoral studies are in the discipline of Human Services with a focus on Social Policy Analysis and Planning. The general focus of my doctoral studies has been toward advocating for the socially disenfranchised and disadvantaged. I have examined and studied social theoretical constructs, conducted research on policy issues, and professional practices in societal development, human development, organization and social systems, and ethics. I am the Executive Director and Founder of C.L.I.C.K. Services, NFP. I am presently in the process of developing a for-profit entity of C.L.I.C.K. Services. I developed C.L.I.C.K. in the Human Development phase of my doctoral work.
I reported having contact with law enforcement in South Holland where I am addressing the mental health protocol of Cook County. I did not report any issues of a criminal nature with the South Holland Police Department or any other police department. There are no creditable reports of a criminal nature or contact with any police department. I have not had any creditable reports of a criminal nature with any police department since my arrest in 1988.
IDOC Rejection Issues:
I reported being the subject of an Order of Protection, which was bogus and unfounded. My wife, Darlene Nance, bogusly and without provocation lied before the South Holland Police Department stating I had struck her. My wife, Darlene Nance, has since retracted this statement in open court. I believe I provided a copy of the retraction. Nevertheless, I am attaching a copy with this Appeal letter.
My wife, Darlene Nance, has a mental challenge/disability. She has been diagnosed with Depression and Bipolar (supporting documents attached). This mental challenge was the focus of my contact with the South Holland Police Department leading to an Order of Protection.
I reported visiting my brother, David Nance N53423 in about 1989, providing emotional support to my brother and one who is incarcerated in our penal system. I reported receiving military discipline in 1969, which did not lead to incarceration, Bad Conduct or Dishonorable Discharge.
My incarceration of 1992 produced an upstanding citizen. I am now advocating for social justice and change in people. I present a well-rounded clinical aspect to the field of Social Service. I have the pleasure and experience of both worlds, that being the criminal and non-criminal. I self-rehabilitated through education and positive practical experience. I promote these rehabilitated experiences in my professional practice of counseling sex offenders on parole, probation, and supervision from the Illinois Courts and IDOC. I am providing a character reference letter from EMAGES, INC., which employs me as a counselor/clinical therapist to sex offenders on parole, probation, and supervision.
I am in constant contact with parole, probation, and supervision officers discussing the clinical and general character and behavior of their clients. I am also a distinguished and active member of the State of Illinois, Juvenile Justice & Child Protection Department (probation & court services) – Mentoring Network Unit, volunteering since 1999; and a distinguished member of Kennedy-King College Addictions Studies Program as an Advisory Board Member, volunteering since 1999, which is now IAODAPCA Accredited.
In summary: This unit has had my contractual employment application since May 24, 2005. Generally, a determination of eligibility may be assessed within 2 weeks. This unit has taken at least 120 days to assess my application. For reasons unknown to me, my application has been rejected because of unsupported reasons not reported on the rejection letter I received. What I have accomplished academically and socially during my incarceration and since being released is well documented and known but has not made a difference with IDOC.
The issues of my encounters with the South Holland Police Department and the mental health protocol of Cook County Illinois is well known to my Illinois State Representatives, that is, United States Senator Barack Obama, Illinois State Senator James Meeks, and Illinois State Representative David Miller. These individuals have a voluminous amount of information, which I provided regarding the issues of my report of having prior contact with law enforcement, along with the issues surrounding the Order of Protection. I am assured they would not be in agreement with the determination of non-eligibility status for contractual employment with an outside agency operating within IDOC or outside the walls of the IDOC prison system.
If my eligibility hangs on the criteria determined in this letter I received from IDOC, the Illinois State Representatives I mentioned may need to re-evaluate and produce additional legislation to improve the ability of previously incarcerated individuals obtaining meaningful employment. As it stands, many previously incarcerated individuals are left with employment that is below standards for taking care of a family. Many previously incarcerated individuals go back to what is familiar and has been working for them, which is crime. Their choices are severly limited due to decisions such as issued by IDOC regarding my contractual employment with Gateway and IDOC. I am not only ostracized from contractual employment with an outside entity within the prison walls, but also for employment with an outside entity outside the IDOC prison walls. There has to be other reasons not reported in the letter regarding my eligibility status for contractual employment with IDOC.
Wherefore, I respectfully request IDOC’s Background Investigations Unit re-evaluate my status as a contractual employee, with Gateway, TASC or any other employment entity, in or out of the Illinois Correctional Institutions. I will fax this letter, my character reference letter from EMAGES, INC., and the denial letter I received from IDOC to Mr. Obama, Mr. Meeks, and Mr. Miller. I will fax only this letter to Ms. Mary Beth of Gateway. I will fax this letter to IDOC’s Background Investigations Unit and follow with a hard copy of it in the U.S. Mail on Monday, October3, 2005, along with academic transcripts, certifications, letters from wife regarding the Order of Protection’s validity (notarized) and her psychiatrist, and copies of fax cover sheets as attachments to the letter to IDOC’s Background Investigations Unit.
cc: Mary Beth, Gateway
U.S. Senator Barack Obama
Illinois Senator James Meeks
Illinois State Representative David Miller
Have we forgot Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. Why is it so easy for us to give up our seat? Now that we share some of the "power" it appears we come along side those who have oppressed us. If we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything.
I found my rehabilitation while in IDOC because I found God in IDOC. God did not find me because He was not lost. I was lost. God led me to a young African's writing while incarcerated in the Cook County Jail before I was transferred to IDOC, which I try to follow everyday. This African was martyed for his faith. What he wrote inspires my writings. I live this writing each time I write.
The African wrote:
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secured. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My way is rough. My companions are few. My guide is reliable. My mission is clear. I will not give up, shut up, or let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, for the cause of Jesus Christ.
I must go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until everyone knows, work until He stops me and when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear.
With this kind of resolve we will, with God's help, have the strength to survive against our cultural stream, or perhaps even reverse it. Of course, we are a minority, but armed with the promises of God we can have a spiritual impact that is greater than our numbers might suggest.
It may come down to a simple question: Are we willing to pay the price?
