It is not unusual for ex-prisoners to make return trips to jail. Statistics indicate that nearly two-thirds of the 700,000 prisoners released every year reoffend, with half of all released inmates returning to prison within three years.
What is unusual, however, is when a former inmate returns of his own volition. This is the case with Gene McGuire, who was recently released after 35 years of incarceration in Pennsylvania.
In 1977, McGuire was convicted of second-degree murder. Despite the fact that he was only 17 at the time of the crime, and that he wasn’t physically in the building when his older cousin murdered the 60 year-old barmaid, McGuire was given the maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.
While in prison, McGuire met two people who would have a profound effect on his life – the Rev. Larry Titus and prison volunteer Rob Meier. The two men were part of a Prison Fellowship outreach to the inmates at the State Correctional Institution – Camp Hill. With Rev. Titus’ help and guidance, McGuire became a Christian in 1987. Meier began counselling the new believer and nurturing him in the faith, developing a friendship that has lasted over 25 years.
A 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on life sentences given to persons 17 and younger necessitated a review of McGuire’s case. Wyoming County President Judge Russell Shurtleff ruled that the maximum penalty allowable for the crime had already been served, and ordered McGuire’s release. On April 3, McGuire walked out of prison – a free man for the first time in almost 35 years.
But the story doesn’t end there. McGuire has committed to moving to Texas, where he will assist Rev. Titus in ministering to inmates. “Gene is definitely qualified to do that,” says Meier.
The full story on Gene McGuire from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is available here.