The following day，her body was resting in a casket in her home，where three-quarters of a mile from the prison.As the acting warden took his early morning walk，he was shocked to see a large crowd of the toughest，hardest-looking criminals gathered like a herd of animals at the main gate.He came closer and noted tears of grief and sadness.He knew how much they loved Catherine.He turned around and faced the men，"All right，men you can go.Just be sure and check in tonight！"Then he opened the gate and a parade of criminals walked，without a guard，the three-quarters of a mile to stand in line to pay their final respects to Catherine Lawes.
And every one of them checked back in.Every one！
1921年，刘易斯·劳斯当上了纽约州新新监狱的监狱长。当时，没有哪个监狱比新新监狱更难管理。但在大约20年后劳斯退休的时候，那个监狱已经变成了一个充满人情味儿的地方。研究过其管理体制的人都认为，这种转变要归功于劳斯。而当劳斯被问及这种转变时，他是这样说的：“这一切都要归功于我伟大的妻子凯瑟琳，她就长眠在监狱的围墙外。”
当刘易斯·劳斯当上监狱长时，凯瑟琳·劳斯已经是有三个孩子的年轻母亲了。一开始，每个人都提醒她不要进入监狱，但那阻止不了凯瑟琳！当监狱举行第一次篮球比赛的时候，她和她那三个漂亮的孩子来到了体育馆，和犯人们一起坐在看台上。
她认为：“我丈夫和我照顾他们，我相信他们也会照顾我的！我用不着担心！”她坚持要熟悉那些犯人和他们的档案。她发现一个被判杀人罪的犯人是个盲人，于是就去探望他。她握住他的手说：“你懂布莱叶盲文吗？”
“什么是布莱叶盲文？”他问。于是，她就教他如何读布莱叶盲文。多年以后他仍对她感激涕零。后来，凯瑟琳发现监狱里有一个聋哑犯人，她就去学校学习手语。许多人说，耶稣在1921年至1937年的新新监狱里复活了，凯瑟琳·劳斯就是耶稣的化身。
后来，凯瑟琳在一次车祸中丧生。第二天早晨，刘易斯·劳斯没上班，由代理监狱长替他。监狱的犯人立刻觉察到事情不对头。
第二天，她的尸体成殓在家中的灵柩里，家离监狱有3/4英里的路程。早上当代理监狱长巡视的时候，他惊愕地看到一大群最粗暴、最难看的罪犯像一群野兽般地聚集在大门口。他走近之后才注意到，他们竟流下了悲恸的眼泪。他知道他们是多么地爱凯瑟琳。他转过身来面对着这些人说：“好吧，你们可以出去，不过晚上一定要回来报到！”然后，他打开了门，犯人们走了出来，排着整齐的队伍，他们最后一次表达对凯瑟琳·劳斯的尊敬。在这3/4英里长的路上没有一个警卫。
晚上，他们每一个人都回来报到了，每一个！
Never late
永远不晚
Several years ago，while attending a communications course，I experienced a most unusual process.The instructor asked us to list anything in our past that we felt ashamed of，guilty about，regretted，or incomplete about.The next week he invited participants to read their lists aloud.This seemed like a very private process，but there was always some brave soul in the crowd who would volunteer.As people read their lists，mine grew longer.After three weeks，I had 101 items on my list.The instructor then suggested that we find ways to make amends，apologize to people，or take some actions to right any wrongdoing.I was seriously wondering how this could ever improve my communication ability，having visions of alienating just about everyone from my life.
The next week，the man next to me raised his hand and volunteered this story：
"While making my list，I remembered an incident in high school.I grew up in a small town in Iowa.There was a sheriff in the town that none of us kids liked.One night，my two buddies and I decided to play a trick on Sheriff Brown.After drinking a few beers，we found a can of red paint，climbed the tall water tank in the middle of the town，and wrote，on the tank，in bright red letters：Sheriff Brown is an s.o.b.The next day，the town arose to see our glorious sign.Within two hours，Sheriff Brown had my two pals and me in his office.My friends confessed 2 and I lied，denying the truth.No one ever found out."
"Nearly 20 years later，Sheriff Brown's name appears on my list.I didn't even know if he was still alive.Last weekend，I dialed information in my hometown back in Iowa.Sure enough，there was a Roger Brown still listed.I dialed his number.After a few rings，I heard：'Hel－lo？'I said：'Sheriff Brown？'Pause.'Yup.''Well，this is Jimmy Calkins.And I want you to know that I did it.'Pause.'I knew it！'he yelled back.We had a good laugh and a lively discussion.His closing words were，'Jimmy，I always felt bad for you because your buddies got it off their chest，and I knew you were carrying it around all these years.I want to thank you for calling me for your sake.'"
Jimmy inspired me to clear up all 101 items on my list.It took me almost two years，but it became the springboard and true inspiration for my career as a conflict mediator.No matter how difficult the conflict，crisis or situation，I always remember that it's never too late to clear up the past and begin resolution.
