In Jan. 2005, Vince Russo began taking correspondence courses through Ohio State University, pursuing his bachelor’s degree. He borrowed a book on Hinduism in order to complete his first reading assignment, and then plowed into reading the material before the official assignment had arrived. There are many difficulties in attending college in a prison: lock-downs, going to work, getting mailed-in assignments from the professor, and then sending them back, having all tests proctored by those qualified to sit in that position, and then having the space to take the written tests.
Initially, the costs of the courses were paid for by a wealthy benefactor who was paying the expenses for a number of associate of arts graduates who were pursuing an advanced degree, but in time that money was exhausted, and he was using his own paychecks from his Prison Industry job to cover it.
Along with his job and school, Russo also remained dedicated to many self-help programs, as well as continuing to practice his Buddhist faith. He was on the ground floor with the Day of Peace program, which last year was a large success, and days and nights during the week that he wasn’t active in some sort of program and/or work were the exception.
In addition to these, Russo also had (has) a loving family whom he has remained devoted to. Every weekend his wife and his young son, Vincent Junior (a.k.a. “VJ”), were in the visiting room with him. VJ, now 14, was his father’s delight, and, in spite of the limitations visiting imposes, parenting was done with love and nurturing that brought up this young man, and, before VJ, two daughters (Elizabeth and Kea) that any father would be very proud of.
Approximately three years ago tragedy struck Russo’s life, his daughter, Kea, was in a serious car accident. A high speed head-on collision placed her in the hospital with numerous broken bones. Russo continued his life and schooling in here, while doing everything in his power to comfort his wife, daughters and son. Slowly her injuries and she resumed a normal life.
Life moves forward, and Russo continued to hold on to balancing his “model-prisoner” program in here with being a positive role-model for his son and family in the visiting room. On April 05, 2007, Vince Russo’s wife passed away. A woman whom he had married before coming to prison, and who had stuck with him for 25 years of incarceration.
His daughters brought him the sad news, once more in the visiting room; where they shared their grief. A 13-year-old son had lost his mother and a husband had lost a devoted wife. Persevering, the family now pulled closer and Russo was more determined to complete what he’d begun. VJ had his choice of which sister to live with, and both daughters continued to take turns bringing in their brother on a weekly basis to see his father.
In June of 2008, Russo received his bachelor’s degree, and his son and daughters were there with him in the Garden Chapel as he got up on the stage to speak and receive his diploma. The story of overcoming does not end with the accomplishments from inside, but also with VJ, who, inspired by his father, also maintained his grades and received 3.5 Grade average for quarter, and a 3.6 average for the entire school year. At the end of the VJ’s school year, he was also awarded the Character Award handed out to those who overcome great challenges; this honor is not given every year, and he is now inscribed on a plaque that sits in the Principals Office.
Russo is now strategizing on his next step – getting his masters degree. One daughter is married, and the other is engaged. VJ is his Dad’s greatest fan, and it’s looking like this young man will one day go to college; where he’ll have plenty of inspiration in seeing things through to the end.
