11/06/2014
My friend, Dru Greene, blessed us recently when
she sent my wife, Libby, sixteen photos from the 1980’s, taken at Zephyrhills
C.I. I had thought these photos were long-lost and never to be found, since I’d
sent my copies to a lawyer in Tallahassee in 1997, and she “misplaced” them.
Prison was much different during a four-year period, 1983-87, when we were
given free rein to implement a variety of successful programs, and the
prisoners responded. Many lives were changed.
I am preparing a presentation for the parole commission
documenting that period, and some of these photos illustrate the
accomplishments far better than words. When Jack Murphy and I began
brainstorming and planning “Sonshine Adventure,” three-day religious weekend in
1983, we had no idea that our modest program would result in “The National
Prison Invasion,” in 1986, with over 40,000 Christian volunteers going into 400
prisons nationwide over one weekend.
I wanted to share a few of these photos now, with
short explanations, followed by more later, to seek your comments and opinions.
Many of the men in these photos were freed years ago, and lead successful,
law-abiding lives.
The
week before Jack Murphy was released on parole in November, 1984, he and I
posed for this photo at Zephyrhills C.I. We silk-screen printed the “Sonshine
Adventure ‘84” logo on over 900 t-shirts. Over 200 Christian volunteers from
churches in Orlando, Lakeland, Dade City, Tampa, and Clearwater attended, as
well as divinity students from Trinity College and Southeastern College. That’s
me on the left, with a lot more hair. We are standing in front of the
horticulture area where I was allowed to raise thousands of flowers.
In
his last months in prison, Murf was inspired to work with the flowers, getting
his mind right for freedom. As a result of his efforts beautifying some areas around
the chapel, the warden reduced Murf’s custody and put him “outside” the fences
for the first time. He told Jack to fix up the flower beds around the
administration building like he’d done at the chapel.
The
above photo was taken around the same time as the one of Murf and me. That’s me
at the back, with sunglasses. Murf is on the right. Friends Gary Toth, left,
and Juan Acebo, center, along with Jack Murphy have been free for decades. I am
the only one left in captivity.
This
area was the result of a “Jaycees” beautification effort, a fish pond and stone
waterfall, a wood bridge and tropical plants, all built by prisoners. This area
became the backdrop for the Jaycee Photo Project on Saturday and Sunday
afternoons. Sadly, I’ve been told, the Jaycee pond and wooden bridge are gone
now, eliminated by some later, less enlightened officials. Prison officials no
longer allow group photos of prisoners, like the one below, for fear of
“gangs,” I suppose.
That’s
me holding the “Hard Labor” sign (a joke for those humorless folks who might
assume otherwise). All these men worked very hard at self-improvement and
community service in all our programs, Jaycees, Fellowship of Christian
Athletes, Winners Program, Sonshine Adventure, and others. Almost all of these
men have been free for many years, with the exception of Mike Riding (directly
behind me with no shirt) and myself. Ricky Batten, at lower left, recently
contacted me to say he was living a successful law-abiding life near Tampa.
Over the years, I’ve lost touch with close friends Rusty York, Gary Toth, Juan
Acebo and Mike Singletary. I wish them well.
This
photo of my aunt, Alice Walker, and myself was taken in the Zephyrhills C.I.
visiting park in July, 1986.
That’s
my youngest brother, Tom, and aunt, Alice Walker, another time at visit. Tom
has a long, scruffy beard now. I expect to see him in “Duck Dynasty” any time.
In September, 1986, we’d been taking “selfies” for
years, mostly because no one seemed able to properly focus the 35 mm camera the
warden entrusted me with.
November 16, 2014, Columbia C.I., Lake City
What
a difference thirty years make! This photo with my wife, Libby, shows that I am
still hanging on, working hard, maintaining a positive attitude, hoping and
praying for release.
Charlie
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