Although I have gotten a good deal of positive feedback from friends about the impact of this blog, a few have wondered why I am publishing it. So I want to respond. The idea first occurred to me when I was recently re-reading Kent's letters and was struck by how much they, collectively, read like a book. I then asked Kent how he would feel about my publishing them in a blog and he said that he was flattered and was in favor of it. It is not hard to project how he might seek understanding and acceptance as a human being.
Secondly, although no one would condone the actions that led to his arrest, I believe that people deserve a second chance--that incarceration and subsequent lifetime probation should not be imposed purely for the sake of punishment. I believe that Kent and many like him pose no threat to society. True, intervention in illicit internet activities is necessary, but the extremes to which our society goes to make sure offenders can never again live normal and productive lives are not within the bounds of humane treatment. Contrary to conventional wisdom, people who have done studies on internet porn cases state that there is no cause and effect relationship between possession of child pornography and hands-on offending, and they are appealing to the US Sentencing Commission for changes in mandatory sentencing and other guidelines. They estimate the risk factor at 0% to .013%. A Swiss study puts it at 1%.
A third reason for sharing this story is that I think it affirming for Unitarian Universalists to know that our religion can support and bolster a person in the throes of self-recrimination and remorse. It is a lifeline in the deep and dark ocean in which he lives.
~Dee
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