Home For Christmas

Oliver Tillison’s eyes sparkle as he says his plans for Christmas are simple – praying, eating a meal with and enjoying the company of his family.

With a confidence in his voice, Tillison knows his most cherished gift has already been given and he has no plans of wasting it – his first Christmas, first “everything,” in 27 years outside of prison.

Tillison was released after spending 10 years at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola and 17 years at Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson on charges of carjacking and kidnapping. Shortly after his release he came to Joseph Homes, an agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge that provides male prisoners with housing and assistance to help them move forward with their lives. 

He expressed his gratitude to Linda Fjeldsjo, Joseph Homes coordinator and the support group of other former prisoners who come together weekly for a support group to talk about their experiences.

“I met Oliver when he was released from prison,” said Fjeldsjo. “He was excited, focused and grateful about his freedom and re-entry back to society. He is taking every advantage that comes from living at Joseph Homes, obtaining a job, purchasing a car and building a savings account. Oliver serves as an example to the other Joseph Homes residents how to achieve a successful return to society.”

Tillison mused as he held up a smartphone and said, “I never had one of these things here, this computer, in my hand.” 

But leaping into the challenge, he learned how to navigate social media a friend contacted him through that medium to let him know about a job opening as a crane operator. With temporary transportation assistance from others, Tillison flourished in the job and has even been promoted. 

He also has a girlfriend.

He has been saving his money and has been able to buy a car. When the car’s tie rods went bad, he said it was “the scariest day of his life” because he had to drive across the Mississippi River Bridge at 40 miles per hour. 

“But I tell you, God came through. (When I paid for the repairs) it was the proudest moment of my life because I was able to pay for it myself and didn’t need anyone to do anything,” he said.

Tillison said his life is becoming more clearly focused on the future and knowing what’s important. 

 “When you first come to prison, you got all that large amount of time. You don’t care,” he said. “I mean ‘What have you got to care for?’ And I was living like that. But every year, it’s a year knocked out. But you start getting ready (for release). You get to five (years served) then 10. Your mindset changes.”

Tillison said he was lucky to have jobs working for the prison warden and high-ranking officers that gave him good training for his current job.

“I thank God for my health and to be back on this side,” said Tillison.

He is also grateful that he will be able to be with his family in person for Christmas.

“I’ll be there with them, and you know, you can express your love more than you do over the phone,” said Tillison. 

Tillison was raised in a “very good family.” But he said because his father could be very tough in discipling him, when he got into trouble at 18, he told him “Look I’m grown and did everything you wanted me to do. I graduated. I’m a man now and can do what I want.”

He conceded. “The first thing I hated is that I did not become the man my parents wanted me to be. I did not become the father to my daughter that I should have been.”

But he also knows his mom, now deceased, was a praying woman.

“I know she is looking down on me right now and she still has me in her prayers,” said Tillison.

This helps in the mending of many facets of his life.

In looking over the mistakes he made in his own life, Tillison now urges others to “be patient with yourself and others” and “take your time.” In a job where a hasty or wrong decision “can take your life in a heartbeat,” he doesn’t mind being called “old school.”

“We have to take it easy and make life easier for ourselves,” said Tillison. “Don’t make life complicated. Make good choices daily.”