while in prison, porter earned an undergraduate degree from boston university, started a prison newspaper, published poetry, and founded a prison radio station. one of his life sentences was commuted by governor michael dukakis in 1975. in december 1985, while being held at a prerelease center, he escaped by signing himself out for a walk, and never returned to the facility until he was caught on march 22, 2005. since his escape, he had been massachusetts' most wanted fugitive, ahead of mobster boss james "whitey" bulger.