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In reply to the discussion: I'm angry and conflicted about a patient right now. Maybe talking about it will help. [View all]Aristus
(66,289 posts)They get sent to the homeless clinic because living in a halfway house prior to release qualifies them as homeless, especially if they don't already have a home to go back to when their sentence is complete.
Most of them seem decent enough, and just want to get on with their lives. But I had another ex-con once who had been convicted of child molestation (although I forget exactly how I found this out). He was pretty skeevy from the beginning. I wan't surprised once I found out his crime, because he gave off all sorts of bad vibes (very unscientific, I know...) I think he only had about two visits, then I never saw him again, thank goodness.
I had one patient with whom I visited for several years, and now he gets his care at the mainstream clinic. Huge guy, just gigantic, with dreadlocks and a big beard. Fearsome-looking. But just the nicest, friendliest, most polite guy you'd ever want to meet. No skeevy vibes like the other guy. I always enjoyed our visits.
I got to talking about him with my assistant once. She told me: "Oh, you do not want to know what he was doing time for!" I never pressed her for an answer. I'm kind of glad I never found out. He was just a very personable guy whom I liked very much.