Polygraph or Pollyanna?

The following is an excerpt from Part Two:


Besides registering as sex offenders quarterly, in addition to each time we move (which will be within the boundaries of Rhode Island for the rest of our lives,) we must report to probation regularly. We are required to attend sex offender counseling every week for twelve-plus years. What an astounding waste of time and money.

I have always enjoyed group sharing sessions. When assisting at Kripalu Center, for two years I voluntarily facilitated the men’s weekly sharing groups. I always appreciated the sessions and derived much inspiration. The idea of attending meetings geared to a subject matter that does not remotely pertain to me, however, does not hold the same allure.

I arrive early to my first sex-offender group session. My counselor, Margaret, is an over-retirement-age-but-probably-never-will-retire, wonderfully perceptive woman. At one time, she worked at the prison. Her opinion of C/Os is that they are “nasty shit-hole bastards.” The standard reaction by C/Os to anything Margaret recommended was, “She doesn’t know what the fuck she’s talking about.”

She sometimes takes the time to talk with me outside of the group. I explain to her the circumstances of my innocence. She inquires if I have ever considered taking a polygraph test. It would not alter the conditions of parole except for possibly being excused from attending group sessions. She has had clients who, when testing as non-deceptive, were exempted. I serenely tell her that I will think about it. Inside, my heart is aflutter. After all we have gone through, this is at least a bit of a breakthrough.