a public defender

Reader Ilah points to this story about how a family (with three young children) has accepted a released sex offender into their neighborhood [I guess SC has no residency restrictions].

“My husband and I discussed it before we even met Paul [Allan] that we will not go at it like everybody else goes at,” said Cheri Irvin. “We will not run from him out of fear.”So the family made a decision.

“I think the best thing that we can do for someone in this situation, is to accept them back into society with limitations.”

As a result, Paul Allan is now welcome in their home, but not alone with their children. He considers Cheri to be like his sister. This hasn’t stopped neighbors from unleashing their anger, though.

It can be a difficult commitment, because anger at Allen can be directed toward the Irvins.”I have some people that refuse to even be around me,” said Cheri Irvin. “And if any of my things are near them, it’s like, don’t touch them because they are friends.”

“We’ve had notes on our front door warning us he’s a sex offender and we need to stay away from him and all that,” said Joshua.

“It’s a feeling of rejection,” said Allan. “And hate, just pure hate for me.”

A letter was sent to the news station (which lead to the story), which alleged that he was “bothering children and handing out candy on Halloween” (which apparently is against the law). Turns out the kids were the Irvin’s.

This is the way to go. Reintegration into society has to be accompanied by inclusion, not rejection. Rejection, in my opinion, serves to only drive people further into their bad habits and we have re-offenders.

I’m glad to see stories like these, because it preserves my faith in humanity.