They’ve sang the song before, a haunting melody at best. Male inmates have often been victims of childhood sexual and physical abuse, which most likely was a contributing factor to their incarceration. I will be meeting with seventy inmates at the Shawnee Correctional Center on Friday, November 1, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. I intent to share my experiences of childhood sexual abuse, and explain how I have moved the horrific memories to mere recollections. (Well, most of the time.) I am hopeful that we can share a peaceful space in time with nothing but good vibrations filling an institution of pain. It is my hope, and perhaps my prayer. Wish me luck.
Larry L Franklin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the University of Illinois and Southern Illinois University. He performed in the U.S. Navy Band located in Washington, D.C. from 1967 to 1971. From 1972 to 1975, he taught music at Southern Illinois University. In 1976, he completed requirements for a certified financial planner designation and maintained a successful investment business until 2007 when he retired to devote his energies to writing. In 2003, he received an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction from Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland.
Franklin is the author of “Mnemosyne: A Love Affair with Memory,” published by Xlibris; “The Rita Nitz Story: A Life without Parole,” published by Southern Illinois University Press; “Cherry Blossoms & Barron Plains: A woman’s journey from mental illness to a prison cell,” published by Chipmunka Publishing Company; and “Supermax Prison: Controlling the most dangerous criminals,” published by History Publishing Company. He currently resides in southern Illinois with his wife, Paula.
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4 thoughts on “Male inmates know the song.”
Good luck, Larry. I’m sure what you’re doing will change the lives of many.
They’ve sang the song before, a haunting melody at best. Male inmates have often been victims of childhood sexual and physical abuse, which most likely was a contributing factor to their incarceration. I will be meeting with seventy inmates at the Shawnee Correctional Center on Friday, November 1, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. I intent to share my experiences of childhood sexual abuse, and explain how I have moved the horrific memories to mere recollections. (Well, most of the time.) I am hopeful that we can share a peaceful space in time with nothing but good vibrations filling an institution of pain. It is my hope, and perhaps my prayer. Wish me luck.
Good luck, Larry. I’m sure what you’re doing will change the lives of many.
Thank you, Sonya.
Thank you for doing such brave work. What you do not only brings healing to you, but to others as well.
Thank you, Martha. Your words mean a lot to me.