There’s another reason my final session with Sam was hard, other than the obvious. The obvious being a deep sense of my own egotistical inadequacy in affecting the next stage of his life. The other being just how likeable he is. In many ways he utterly affirms my view that you can’t judge a book by its cover. It reinforces Your Own Place’s restorative and non-judgmental approach in spades.
But it was hard for another reason too. In the knowledge of his index offence, I found my compassion and non-judgmental approach pushed to the limit. It begs so many more conversations, all of which would be solely for my benefit. My curiosity and judgement serves no purpose other than to label a man who is already acutely aware of how his past will never leave him.
He’s still the same likeable, resilient and worthy human. He’s worthy of a second chance. He’s done his time and for him and for all of us I really hope he makes it.
