Curiosity is a special trait in the animal kingdom. We all want to know! The nosey neighbor wonders about the passersby, the parishioner suspects the priest’s actions in the confessionary room, and the psychiatrist wonders about the intricacies of their patients’ minds.
I recalled another Psychiatrist, prone to hysteria, commenting with a sigh of amazement and resignation, “Who could peek at the mind of a psychopath?”
As a forensic psychiatrist, one routinely encounters the most unglamorous and repulsive individuals, the sex offenders, “tree jumpers, baby rapists,” as they commonly refer to each other.
Out of this population, one is hard-pressed to find any redeemable qualities. We, the “experts,” have long ago become used to the idea that sex offenders have no hope for salvation. “They are incurable,” most of my colleagues affirmed, as dishonesty, compulsive lying, manipulation, and betrayal are their trademarks.
We were warned by seasoned psychiatrists, “Don’t let your guard down,” because these individuals have no concern for other humans, and others are just objects to be used and discarded.
In time, I also wondered if I would ever have the chance to peek at the psychopath’s mind, motivations, and intentions.
One day, as I was suffocated by the boredom and monotony of the “insane asylum,” the patient Joseph K. grabbed my attention. Rapidly, it became evident to me that he was a classic psychopath worthy of further attention.
By the time he became my patient, Joseph K. was running through his tenth year of confinement at the Asylum. He had already completed a decade-long prison term for multiple counts of aggravated sexual contact against minors. Thus, his prospect of release to the community was next to nil.
Joseph K. was a heavy-set fellow with a Buddha-like belly and an ever-friendly smile, closely resembling a hyena. Underneath his smile, an odd mix of slime and ferrous coldness lay hidden. He was balding, approaching his late forties, and walked diligently, as if pressured by important affairs, despite his right-side limp.
Overall, he appeared cordial, even respectful. But his social adeptness barely hid his predatory glances. His eyes had a gripping, bestial quality that often froze my heart in fear. Being in his presence was like being in front of a repulsive reptile with the intensity of yellow eyes that threatened your existence.
Joseph K. was casual, flip, and unapologetic as he recounted his numerous underage victims, “Hundreds,” he bragged, “boys and girls”. He also admitted to zoophilic urges, preferring intercourse with chickens.
Soon after he became my patient, he was promptly infuriated with me because I strictly prohibited his continued sexual exploitation of five other patients, as it was well known his forceful, animalistic predation of others, smaller-sized patients. His sexual appetite was as repulsive as it was uncontrolled.
After I put him under strict supervision and promised to remove all his privileges and put him in confinement if he were to continue his abuse, he then resorted to compulsively masturbating three to five times a day, per staff witness.
A few months later, after my regular interactions with him, I was no longer interested i” “peeking at the mind of a psychopat” His presence repulsed me.
One morning, around Christmas time in 2004, as I walked by the staff room, I overheard a loud verbal and heated confrontation. I could have continued my journey to the restroom, which I desperately needed, but my curiosity took the best of me as I recognized Joseph K’s voice.
His uncharacteristic demonstration of anger and rightful indignation made me momentarily forget my need to stop for a pee. Such loss of his controlled, self-restrained, cold, and calculating demeanor stretched my curiosity to the max.
I intervened. “What’s going on?” I said authoritatively. Not in vain was I the doctor in charge of the Asylum. JosepK’s demeanor changed at lightning speed.
Soon after he heard my deep, commanding voice, he rapidly regained his characteristic controlled composure. He told me that the reason for his aggravation was that every Christmas, long prior to his confinement, he had religiously sent a charitable donation, a money order, to Volunteers of America to assist in the care of the homeless.
He explained that his envelope with his charitable contribution for the year had not been sent due to the staff’s neglect.”
“What?”. I could not believe it! Here was Joseph K., the most repugnant of humans, concerned about giving to the homeless. It was a sincere display of generosity, not for show but deeply felt. I was bewildered.
I could hardly hide my embarrassment. Here I was, a ” holier than thou” Christian, ” rich” doctor, and I had never contributed to any charitable organization.
P.R. Thompson
March 21, 2025
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