Blago Asks to Enroll in Drug Treatment Program While in Prison

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 15, 2011 10:40PM

Attorneys for former Gov. Rod Blagojevich have requested he be placed in a drug treatment program when he reports to prison next March. But they haven't responded to requests for comment when asked if Blago has a legitimate problem or if he's trying to cut more time off his sentence. (Although that hairdo would be one hell of an Exhibit A that he may be high.)

There's cause to be cynical here. Scott Fawell, one-time chief of staff to former Gov. George Ryan, said that's what he did to get time removed from his 78-month sentence.

“What you do is say that in between the time you’re sentenced and the time you report, you just couldn’t stop drinking,” Fawell said.

Fawell spent nine months in treatment, another six month in a halfway house, and received one year of credit for completing the program. “Any defense lawyer in town that’s worth their salt all know about this and they all try to get their clients in," Fawell said.

With good behavior, Blagojevich would serve nearly 12 years of his 14-year sentence. Would he enroll in a drug treatment program to cut an extra 12 months off his sentence? We think there's no shame to Blago's game.

Blagojevich attorney Sheldon Sorosky, before he clammed up to media, said there is documentation Blagojevich has a substance abuse program, and that Judge James Zagel would recommend Blagojevich receive treatment. Ultimately, it's up to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons to decide if Blagojevich qualifies.

Chris Burke, a spokesman for the Bureau of Prisons, told the Tribune that they've had to deal with a rising number of inmates trying to enroll in the program simply to cut time from their sentences.

“As inmates become more aware of the program and what it offers, I think it has been more challenging for us to weed out those inmates who are just trying to game the system,” he said.

Fawell, in his open account of gaming the system, said he didn't want to enroll at first, but that he swallowed his dignity and did so because "it’s the only game in town. It’s the only way you can get time off."