Category Archives: Quotes

I don’t know me. I am everything I hate. I am my father, my mother, sick, evil, twisted, confused, angry, sad, lonely.

-Brent Brents

I was and I am solely responsible for the actions I took. However people need to see how I was made.  Then realize there are thousands of me out there and more still being made and do something about it. Something besides the “systems” answer.

-Brent Brents

Brents is NOT considered a management problem.  He has been polite and courteous to staff and peers alike, and gets along well with everyone.

-Colorado Department of Correction Progress Assessment Summary, Feb. 14, 2004

Note: Brents was released five months later. A year to the date of that report, he committed his most violent crime spree.

I can’t remember much about when I was real young except fear and shame and lack of courage.

-Brent Brents

I’m sure some of those I hurt would like to see me butchered, beaten and murdered and maybe that would satisfy them. But what they don’t know is that vengeance is not as sweet as it sounds.

I know.

-Brent Brents

He has recently stated that one method he uses to cope with painful feelings within himself is to inflict pain on other people.

-Psychiatric Evaluation report on Brents, Colorado State Hospital, March 29, 1991

“I could have told him that, wherever I go, I keep searching for primary evil, out of the womb-the bad seed-but have never found it. I could have told him that everyone really does seem to be recycling pain, that empathy, properly harnessed, really does seem to stop the cycle of hurt–and heal people. And I could have told him that something about those two facts kept my mood from plummeting and kept me out of the gutter, because they reassured me we might be a worthwhile species, capable of more compassion than we seem to be.”

From “Compulsion” by Keith Ablow, M.D.

To the reader:

As you read this, you may find yourself experiencing a wide range of emotions. But I ask of you only to keep an open mind.

You may very well find yourself full of opinion towards myself and the author. No matter how you feel about me or my actions—hate me, be wary of my sincerity if you choose–please, if you are a parent, planning on being a parent or are someone who is responsible for the wellbeing of children.

Treat them with dignity, respect and love. Be good role models. Teach them empathy, compassion and integrity. Regardless of your financial, emotional and physical situations, show them how to overcome and achieve. Be loving and attentive. Listen to them, hear them, spend time with them and nurture them. Most of all, give them your heart forever so that they will become good people.

B. Brents

March 5, 2009