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. 

Compassion is a lot more than just a word. 

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. 

They will kill your ass in a heartbeat.