Polygamist released from prison

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah polygamist Tom Green was released from prison Tuesday after serving six years for child rape for having sex with his only legal wife when she was 13.

Two of Green’s sons – two of his 32 children with five women – picked him up at the Utah State Prison early Tuesday, said Jack Ford, Utah Department of Corrections spokesman.

Ford said Green was going to check in with his parole officer in Provo and then would be free to return home.

“I look forward to return to life in society and to begin carrying again the many responsibilities I have incurred,” Green said in the statement.

He avoided media trucks parked outside the prison, Ford said.

Green said his time in prison was a good learning experience and he was treated well. He said he participated in lifestyle skills classes, therapy and working in the prison’s gardening program.

“He was a good worker. He was not a problem inmate at all,” Ford said.

He said the prison did have a bit of an issue with accommodating visits from Green’s large family.

He said his children and the other mothers of his children were allowed to visit only if they came with his one legal wife, Linda.

“We encourage family support; we don’t encourage polygamy, but we do think it’s important to have contact with children,” Ford said.

Green, 59, was serving time for a 2001 conviction on charges of child rape for having sex in 1986 with Linda Kunz, who was 13 at the time and became his first wife.

Green was also convicted of bigamy, a charge resulting, in part, from several appearances he made on TV talk shows promoting his lifestyle.

Green claimed four other wives whom he married in religious ceremonies. He was also found guilty of criminal non-support for getting thousands of dollars in state welfare payments to support his many children.

As one condition of his release, Green has been barred from seeing one of his wives and their children.

The woman, identified only as “L.B.,” left Green while he was in prison.

Green has said he plans to live with his legal wife.

Other conditions of Green’s release are that he complete counseling, mental-health therapy and pay the state more than $34,000 in restitution.

He must also register as a sex offender.

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