Second-Degree Diligence

Thirty-year-old Victor Taylor has achieved an exceptional academic record, and last week he was granted an M.A. degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University. The subject of his thesis: Anti-Deviant Aggression and Self-Absolution. Two years ago, Taylor earned his B.A. magna cum laude from the same college--completing his degree in a remarkable 21 months (TIME, Oct. 16, 1972). His scholastic achievements qualify him for a number of jobs in teaching or community mental health, and he would probably have little trouble gaining admission to a Ph.D. program. But for the moment at least, these options are closed to Taylor, and he will not be able to consider them until September 1976. That is when he becomes eligible for parole on the 25-year sentence he is currently serving for bank robbery and prison escape at the federal penitentiary in Marion, Ill.

In emotional commencement ceremonies at the prison last week for Taylor and nine other inmates, Taylor heard a surprise announcement. Texas and Oklahoma have detainers on him for, respectively, robbery and prison escape; but Taylor is serving his Texas time concurrently with his present sentence, and during the commencement exercises an emissary of Oklahoma Governor David Hall rose to present Taylor with a certificate of parole from Hall. A tearfully overjoyed Taylor noted that, with freedom in 1976 all but assured, he now stands an excellent chance of reaching his next goal--a Ph.D.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so viewer discretion is required.