gangs as a pilot project with the goal of deterring crime. Lawton was critical of the move, saying that "[c]hain gangs send a bad message about [the US]." Instead he proposed a better use of law enforcement resources would be to "help inmates with drug addiction." He was critical of Brevard County stopping letters to inmates in 2013. He said that some of the recipients could be innocent. Other issues he is concerned with include prison conditions as well as post-release debt loads and their influence on unemployed ex-convicts. Lawton has also shown concern over the prevalence of fentanyl-laced heroin, noting that in the past dealers had tried to sell pure heroin without any additives. In 2017, he appeared in a middle school in Havelock, North Carolina to explain his prison experiences. His appearance was part of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program. Lawton has made many media appearances. He has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Christian Broadcasting Network, and Fox News. Often he appears discussing crimes in the media as an expert on robberies. In 2010, Lawton filmed the pilot and sizzle reel for Lawton's Law, a reality show based on his work with at-risk youth. He also hosted a local talk radio show. In 2012, Lawton self-published Gangster Redemption, an autobiography co-written with Peter Golenbock. The 367-page book covers his early life, his string of crimes, and his post-release career. In 2019, he made a video with Vanity Fair where he analyzed fictional robberies from films such as The Italian Job and Heat. Lawton has a YouTube channel, and he has made videos analyzing heists in movies and video games such as Grand Theft Auto V; he also plays Prison Architect. References Further reading External links Reality Check Program Official Website The Redeemed: Larry Lawton - A&E Former Jewel Thief Reviews Famous Heist Movies, From ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ to ‘Heat’ - Vanity Fair Posey Presents Reality Check Community Champion Award to Thomas Reed of Rockledge - Congressman Bill Posey 1961 births Living people 20th-century American criminals American autobiographers American crime writers American male criminals American prisoners and detainees American YouTubers Criminals from the Bronx Military personnel from New York (state) People from North Hempstead, New York Prison reformers Prisoners and detainees of the United States federal government United States Coast Guard enlisted