If you’re curious what might happen to the Georgia fugitive captured 48 years after his escape, look to the case of Willie Lee Austin.
Austin was serving a 15-year-sentence for robbery when he slipped away from Georgia authorities in 1981. He lived 34 years on the lam, operating a popular furniture business in Florida, before he was captured last August.
Striking similarities exist to the case of Robert Stackowitz, apprehended in Connecticut last week — nearly half a century after escaping from a prison work camp in Carroll County. People are actively debating whether the sick, elderly man who lived a clean life for so long should be sent back to jail, or be set free.
Austin, turns out, was paroled in December, about four months after he was re-arrested.
Austin’s attorney, Sara Becker, expects Stackowitz could see similar treatment.
“They are two fairly elderly men who committed crimes decades ago. They led pretty much exemplary lives,” Becker said. “Ultimately, it didn’t seem as though the (Board of Pardons and Parole) was interested in retribution with Willie. This seems to be a similar case.”
Actually, Stackowitz’ attorney is hoping for an even happier ending. Norm Pattis said he will submit a petition to Georgia authorities within days requesting permission for his client to remain in Connecticut while officials decide his fate. The attorney points to Stackowitz’ declining health and clean record since his escape. And he is requesting that Georgia forgive the rest of the sentence.
The Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles is making clear that it wants him back before it decides anything. Board spokesman Steve Hayes pointed to Board Rule 475-3-.05 (3), which states, “Inmates who have escaped will not be considered for parole until their return to custody of penal (prison) authorities of this state.”
Rehabilitation or punishment?
The question of what to do with an escapee after years on the lam raises some profound issues regarding the purpose of incarceration. Is it rehabilitation or punishment?
People seem largely divided on what should happen to Stackowitz, judging from scores of reader comments sent to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Let him go! He has served his time looking over his back,” said Jonetta Jones, writing in response to the AJC’s request for comment on Facebook.
But Leah Davis, responding to the same call-out, said Stackowitz still has a debt to pay to society.
“When does punishment come into play?” she said. “Not only should he serve out his sentence, he should pick up an additional sentence.”
Austin, for his part, had served about five years of his 15-year sentence on armed robbery when he escaped. He actually didn’t have to break out of the Central State Correctional Prison. He fled during a “furlough” visit in which he was allowed to leave the grounds to visit family for the Christmas holiday.
He lived under the name Larry Jackson as he ran his furniture business in Fort Lauderdale. He was 60 at the time. He was popular in the community, his attorney said.
In granting him parole, the Board of Pardons and Paroles reviewed his crime, the time he had served, the escape and the fact that he had committed no crimes since he fled, board spokesman Hayes said.
“These were among the factors considered as the board determined Austin’s release was compatible with the welfare of society,” Hayes said in an email to the AJC.
The guy who fixes boats
Looking ahead, Stackowitz has a hearing June 6 regarding his extradition to Georgia. He is currently out on bond in Connecticut. His attorney said he will fight extradition, asserting that the trip could damage his already frail health. Stackowitz said he suffers from bladder cancer, congestive heart disease and diabetes.
After the hearing, Georgia has 30 days in which to present the state of Connecticut with a governor’s warrant requesting his move to Georgia. If Connecticut approves, Stackowitz will be returned to the state.
That’s when the review begins by the parole board, which is under no timeline to consider the case, Hayes said.
Stackowitz, who was convicted of robbery by force, has also remained crime-free since his escape, his attorney said. Numerous people have spoken well of him in his hometown of Sherman, Conn., a small lake town where he is known as Bob Gordon, the guy who fixes people’s boats.
Dean Dabney, a Georgia State University associate professor of criminal justice and criminology, said state officials may take other factors into consideration with his case. They may not want the expense of housing a sick inmate. But they may also want to send a message that there are penalties for escaping from prison.
Still, he doesn’t see Stackowitz heading back to prison for an extended stay.
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