I think that Mark LaFlamme’s article “DAs recount experiences with hermit” (May 22) missed a major point of the presentation. That was that the alternative court system required Knight to have weekly counseling and court appearances, pay restitution and have a reconciliation meeting with his victims.

This was at a cost of $26,000 a year, whereas a year in jail is $50,000.

According to Meaghan Maloney, those who have graduated from these “alternative” courts’ sentencing have shown no recidivism and have offered people a chance to turn their lives around.

Cecilia Treworgy, Lewiston