Dear Friend,

I humbly wish to introduce myself; my name is Lawrence “Larry” S. Duran an inmate at Coleman Federal Prison with a 50-year sentence. Presently incarcerated since October 2010. I was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, kickbacks, money laundering and avoid reporting requirements. I plead guilty without benefit of a plea agreement, but never imagining the amount of time I received, even though my attorney informed me it will be a long one.

I was born and raised in New York by hard working legal immigrants who arrived in the late 1950's with hopes in their hearts for a better life. They were loving parents instilling old fashioned values and morals in my sister and me. They worked hard to ensure our well-being with special focus on our education.

In my teens through my early thirty's I trained and held several jobs my most memorable being a New York State Certified Emergency Medical Tech for Astoria Volunteer Ambulance Corps and Weir Metero Ambulance Services. I held this job while attending High School and College. My favorite employment afterwards where my passion and caring for social services blossomed was Directing the Supported Employment Program for ACRMD, the Association for Children with Retarded Mental Development. Perhaps one of the most rewarding jobs I ever held, performing at first as a Job Coach, placing individuals with developmental deficits and co-occuring mental illnesses in jobs and training them to be successful productive employees. Then managing and directing the program which under my leadership grew to 50 employees and placing over 400 participants into gainful employment throughout the metropolitan area.

I moved to Florida around 1991 when my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and heroically battled the disease; however, he lasted a little over a year after his diagnosis.

I have 3 beautiful, tender joyful dignified children who are my life. A thousand words could not properly express my joy at being their father.  I admire and love them deeply as they are what keep me going inside these cold, concrete walls. Listening to their voices on the phone, telling me their adventures, experiences in life make an ever-lasting effect on my heart and long days in here. I would not have been capable to survive these last 12 years in prison if not for their daily support, courage, love, and calmness in facing misfortune and great loss.

In 2002 along with my two capable partners we opened American Therapeutic Corp to operate and manage community mental health centers in South and Central Florida. Eight years later we had 7 facilities and a Sleep Center. We employed close to 300 professional and para-professional staff. Our dream of providing mental health services to the elderly, chronically mentally ill, substance abuse patient, children and adolescents had come true. However, we had placed so much of ourselves our hearts, tears, sweat into a faulty and broken venture. The last three years I grew to hate myself and what I had built with these amazing trusting women. It was not my partners fault, I take complete blame for our illegal enterprise and its effects on community, society and the tragic outcomes of our families, friends, and employees. I had lost measure and perception of the depth I had reached along with the laws that were broken. I've carried the overwhelming burden for my partners incarceration and their long sentences. But God is good and freed both of my partners in 2020.

It is said that a man who repents is not lost yet... I was given a 50-year sentence, but that didn’t stop me from working towards rehabilitation while serving my time.  I worked, counseled, mentored and tutored inmates informally and formally through different departments in prison. For example, worked as an Inmate companion at the Penitentiary for 6 1/2 years, ensuring the safety of inmates on suicide watch. Also worked in the education teaching classes such as Small business startup, customer service, Microsoft word, excel, parenting, anger management, custodial maintenance and fundamentals of construction. I voluntarily attended the Challenge program for 3 years where I worked as a mentor and was part of the conflict resolution committee, mediating and de-escalating situations between inmates. After nearly 8 years in the Penitentiary, I was transferred to Coleman Medium in 2018 where I immediately entered the Skills program to reside and work as a Mental Health Companion with inmates with developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, and co-occuring mental illnesses. I again was placed in the conflict resolution committee to help address conflicts. My days are filled acknowledging minor and at times major problems between inmates and bringing a clear and calm outcome and disposition. I also work for UNICOR which is run by the Federal Prison Industries, where we build office furniture for the offices of many Federal and private institutions such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Social Security Administration, Department of Justice, Department of  Defense, and Military Services.

I have found that true value is found in righteous thinking and there is not a right thought without self-knowledge. I am repentant for my wrong doings. I am begging to be considered for Clemency and respectfully request for you to sign this petition requesting my granting of an Executive Clemency. The judicial system is fallible, and Clemency is its critical safeguard. I believe the term imposed on me, a sentence far in excess that the average sentence for persons convicted of murder, is grossly disproportionate to that necessary in the circumstances, and that a variety of factors suggest that the President, as an act of political grace, could commute my sentence to an appropriate length. Even faced with the prospect of spending a half of a century in prison- to be released at the age of 93-years I have compiled an institutional record of excellent discipline and programming to improve myself and others.

Additionally, my mother’s health is failing, and she urgently needs my assistance and support. At age 87 my mother suffers from chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and serious cognitive impairment. I have supported my family, especially my children all of whom have entered adulthood without my presence, but nevertheless as strong, forthright and productive members of society. I still miss them dearly and wish to spend time with them praying to be able to make up for the lost time and special moments in their lives. Listening to my daughter asking me to live with her upon release. My youngest telling me about his dreams and frustrations. My first-born reminding me that I can count with him for anything anytime. My children are a blessing to me and their memory a treasure. I loved them beyond words and missed them beyond measure. I don’t want to miss their adult life, when they start building a family of their own. I feel that missing their teen years was enough. Please

I am rehabilitated having been transformed while in the 11 years of incarceration; my institutional adjustment has been exemplary, and the ends of justice have been achieved. Please right this injustice today by signing this petition stating that you understand and empathize with my plight. Thank you for your generous spirit, and charitable gift of trust. I promise to comply with all laws and rules of our government and society. You will never be sorry, for I will not fail you. Please help me come home to my family.

Again, thank you so much for your kindness, attention and care.