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The Reluctant Counselor
I was arrested aboard a Lockheed PV2 in Marianna, Florida. Then charged and convicted for 'conspiracy to import and distribute 12,000 pounds of marijuana.'
I stayed 5 years in Federal Prison for that 'indiscretion.'
My fellow inmates were murderers, rapists, kidnappers, armed bank robbers, and large scale drug offenders.
After 3 years 'behind the wall,' I became somewhat of a 'counselor.' A guy others came to for advice, help with writing a letter, or as a mediator of  'trouble among prisoners.' Those guys were like a bunch of little kids. Show interest in them, talk with them about their problems, share what kept me sane in that environment, and they became the best friends a person could ask for.Â
Compassion is a lot more than just a word.Â
One lad had taken a female hostage during a bank robbery.  To complete his escape, he killed the lady. He was 18 years old when he had done this. When I spoke with him, he was then 37. He had been in that prison for over 18 years. He was filled with remorse.
I befriended the only mass murderer in the prison where I was held. He had been convicted of killing 27 people. He was a heroin dealer. A 'bad batch' killed his customers. His regret was that he had not been a user. If he had been, his victims would still be alive. Again, this man showed huge sorrow for his past.
Other guys I met convicted of murders--the victims meant nothing to them. Those guys were an entirely different breed. I came to think of them as being born with a 'gene of danger.' What else could it be? There was no way this was 'learned behavior.'  I met those folks during my stay in Federal Prison. I was not a desperado. I'm as harmless as a Beagle puppy. But, never doubt that there are some very bad folks moving among us.Â
