These people lie. Period. Hoping they stop lying will not result in them converting to a life of honesty.
They say anything they need to say to get what they want. It is the way they are programmed. Think about it from his point of view. He has nothing to loose. He's in PRISON. And if he spends the next 2+ years telling you what ever you need to hear, then you will be WAITING for him when he gets out. He will have a place to come home to. His strategy is to keep you off the market, so you don't find another while he's locked away for breaking the rules of our society.
"...advice for me as to realistic expectations for long distance relationship growth."
realistically --Zero hope for growth. 100% expectation that he will say exactly what you need to hear. You will be doing the "changing". Not him.