A former actor from Hollywood, who unexpectedly became the emblem of the government’s early release initiative for prisons, ‘should have been more responsible’ with his opportunity, according to his daughter.
Clarice Hoganson, aged 21, expressed to Metro that she feels ‘no compassion’ for Jason Hoganson, who has predominantly spent his adult life incarcerated and is presently facing another term in jail.
Residing in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, Clarice stated that while she still holds love for her 53-year-old father, she would only accept him back into her life if he truly reforms his behavior.
The tattoo-laden convict’s recent court appearance resulted in him being found guilty of physically assaulting his former partner and two violations of a restraining order.
He had entered Rachel Usher’s residence in the West End of Newcastle and slapped her just one day post his release, part of the government’s initiative to alleviate prison overcrowding.
‘It has been profoundly distressing to see my dad featured so prominently in the news, it’s not been pleasant,’ Clarice remarked.
‘Due to the ongoing domestic abuse towards his ex-partner, he ought to have remained incarcerated.’
‘They afforded him a chance by allowing him to be released, yet he violated the conditions of his bail and returned to prison.
‘He is an adult, he possesses the capability, and he should have made wiser choices.’
Clarice is among four offspring of her father, with whom she has had sporadic interactions throughout her life.
Photographs capturing family moments from her infancy reveal him taking on the fatherly role as he pushed her in a stroller through a park and planting a kiss on her as she sat on his knee in a pub.
Hoganson’s existence before his descent into the criminal world also included a flourishing acting career, highlighted by a leading role in the 1987 film Empire State.
He portrayed Pete, a Geordie drifter, in the raw drama, which also featured Irish actor Ray McAnally, Jamie Foreman, and US star Martin Landau.
However, Hoganson succumbed to the grip of drugs and crime, ultimately becoming ‘nearly institutionalized’ within the prison system, according to Clarice.
He gained notoriety for unfavorable reasons in September when he was photographed giving a thumbs-up during an accidental early release from HMP Durham.
The repeat offender had recently faced charges of assault by striking and breaching a restraining order, receiving an 18-month sentence, of which a significant portion had already been served while on remand.
He was among 37 inmates released early despite not qualifying for the early release program aimed at addressing prison overcrowding.
Following the assault on Ms. Usher, he was apprehended after a police appeal. Ms. Usher tragically passed away due to undisclosed causes a day after his return to custody.
No evidence has been found to suggest a link between the assault and her death.
Despite her father’s dismal history, Clarice, who works as a support worker, shared with Metro that she would be inclined to foster a deeper connection with him if he could reform.
‘I harbor no sympathy for him; I care for him, yet I hope for his transformation,’ she remarked. ‘At 53, that seems quite improbable.’
‘His life descended into chaos due to excessive drug use, a path he chose, unfortunately. Additionally, my mother’s passing in 2019 had a significant effect on him; I don’t believe he was incarcerated during that period.
‘Since then, he has continuously cycled in and out of correctional facilities; he has nearly become institutionalized.’
‘At almost 22, the life I envision does not involve such circumstances, and I wish to distance myself from individuals of that nature.’
‘As stated, I still care for him and would stand by him if anything were to occur. I feel more like a guardian than he does as a father.’
‘Everyone surrounding him has great regard for him and desires his change, but we have all come to terms with the reality that this will unlikely happen.’
In a declaration presented at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, Ms. Usher recounted how Hoganson was ‘shouting and screaming, appearing extremely enraged’ prior to delivering a ‘forceful’ slap to her.
Hoganson, who is set to be sentenced at the end of next month, was removed from the courtroom after erupting in a tirade of profanities directed at the prosecutor during the testimony.
Although his early release from jail was a mistake, it has been clarified that he would have been released shortly thereafter under the stipulations of his initial sentence.
Do you possess a narrative you would like to share? Reach out to josh.layton@metro.co.uk
