Many years ago when speaking with my grandmother about those family members who have done well in life versus those who have fallen short, I made the comment that I was the only one in our family to ever be sent to prison.

"NO," my grandmother said. "I had a brother who died in Marquette prison in 1936 "

I was shocked! Everyone that I had known or heard about in my family were strict law abiding citizens. "What did he do?" I asked.

"I don't remember. I was very young. My mother and father would not talk about it. I just remember them bringing him home to bury when he died."

I began a search. Who was this kindred spirit back along blood lines? Did we share more than DNA and the connecting experience of a prison sentence or were we actually on the same wave length separated only by time?

What I found out was that during the Great Depression 1929 to 1939, my great-uncle and his friends were robbing places where liquor was illegally sold. During one of their robberies, someone was shot and killed. All of them were given life. Teddy, my great uncle, died 5 years later in Marquette prison where I, too, am serving life for Armed Robbery.

Interesting as this was, it was not the connection I was looking for. What I hoped to find was the understanding that can happen between two people from a shared experience.

I found it a few months later when I received a copy of our family tree. In a section called family memories I found the following poem. Written by Teddy McDermitt inside the walls Marquette Branch Prison in 1931.

Artwork by Michigan PrisonersPoetry & Prose by Michigan Prisoners