by Larry Lawton
Golenbock lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, with Wendy Grassi, their cat Chauncey, and their basset hound, Fred.
Acknowledgments:
This book is not about me and what I do. The book was a way for me to express myself and explain to the world what goes on behind bars in the United States prison system. In 2005, while in prison, I explained in some specific detail the horrors of prison and compared the prison I was in to Abu Ghraib, the prison in Iraq where United States soldiers abused civilians. You can Google Larry Lawton and Abu Ghraib and read the full article. I am all for our soldiers and one of the most patriotic men you will ever meet, but where do you think the soldiers who abused those people in Iraq learned how to abuse people? From being guards in the United States prison system! People ask me all the time if I am hateful towards corrections officers. Absolutely not, in-fact some saved my life. I have no bitterness at all. There is good and bad in all people.
I have to acknowledge and thank a lot of people. I am sure I will miss some. You know who you are and because of all of you, this book came about. To Peter Golenbock, my co-writer for spending countless hours talking with me; getting things out of me and rewriting my words to make them all fall into place. He is a professional who understood my personality and respected me throughout the whole process. He didn’t try to change the tone of the book; he made it a book. To Joe Reilly, my business partner, for keeping me focused. To Uncle Louie and Phyllis Constantino, who are like my second parents. To Joe Fraumeni, for his support, solid business advice, and guidance throughout this whole process and to this day. To Judge Silverman and his wife Michelle for reviewing the book and telling me things straight: the good, bad and ugly. To my cousin Carol Kalet, for reviewing and helping edit the book. To my good friends Billy Cassara, a cameraman for 60 Minutes and his wife Lisa Hewitt Cassara, who reviewed my work and who keep me encouraged to this day. To John Johnston from Cheri Sundae Productions, who has a sense of humor only a New Yorker could understand, but believes in me and helps me with industry advice and guidance. To Dennis and Glenda Broderick, friends from my childhood, for always being there for me. To Tommy Boehm, a friend through thick and thin. To Jackie Thomas, my big supporter in Iowa. To Justin Wasson, for help in reviewing my work and for your strong moral character. To Mike Smith from TD bank, for believing in me from day one. To Steve Lander, an attorney and close friend who I have known for years -- we helped each other out with advice, money and support -- without Steve’s support this book wouldn’t have been accomplished. To Ron Nance, my protector in prison. To John Stewart and the staff of The Daily Show, who believed in me, even after a long trip to Montana that didn’t pan-out. That comedy appearance jump-started my media career. To Mike Huckabee, who gave me the opportunity to tell the world my story from a serious point of view. To Dory Nissen and Pat Robertson, for showing my story in a compassionate way and understanding redemption. To Randy Wecker & Rhonda Bible-Wecker from The Healing Today Show for believing in me and giving me support. To State Attorney Norm Wolfinger and Public Defender J.R. Russo of the 18th Judicial Circuit, men who care about teens and believe people can change. To Dominic Calabro, the CEO of Florida Tax Watch, who never judged me and would call with advice and encouragement just at the right time. To former Florida Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp, who cares deeply for young people, believes in me and what I do so much, he traveled all over the state with me to spread the word. To all my nephews and nieces and cousins. To George and Ann Watson, who never judged me and love me for who I am. To my cousin and rock, Cheryl Geoffrion, who I know is always there for me and will be there for me forever. I love you. I hope to have inner-peace like you someday. To my brother David, sisters Lynne, Debbie, and Donna, who keep me grounded when I ramble on about everything. To my Mom, who is the family matriarch. Mom encourages me and is my #1 fan. To Helen Moss, my other mother. To my children Larry Jr. and Ashley -- I am so proud of you. I love you both so much and missing your early lives is a hole in my heart that will never heal. To both my ex-wives Roselyn and Missy, who are still true friends and put up with me during my worst times. To my long time girlfriend Theresa Nunez, who had to put up with me during this whole process. She walked around quietly while I was on the phone and computer for hundreds of hours and she comforted me when I had some emotional moments after Peter got things out of me. Your silent support will never be underestimated. To my Dad, who passed away while doing this book. He was, and is, my father, mentor and best friend. He never liked what I did, but he never judged me, and always knew I had a big heart. Dad was always there for me. As he told me, hate the sin, love the sinner.
To the following men behind bars who wrote letters, called me, and supported me during our time in prison and still do to this day: Paul Tallini, Nick Vasiliades, Jon Goetz, Daniel Poe, Elvis and to all the men behind bars who are experiencing the horrors that prison really is. Torture, abuse, etc. Sadly, it is going on as I write this.
And most importantly, to God who has protected me and guided me on the course I am on today.