Sex offenders need full scrutiny
Is the consensus that child rapists are the worst, most horrific kind of criminals no longer unanimous? It sure seems like it in Massachusetts these days.
Boston Herald reporters Dan Atkinson, Mary Markos and editor Joe Dwinell uncovered some monstrous findings this week that should fill each and every resident of the commonwealth, and especially parents, with concern.
Nearly a third of civilly committed sex offenders’ requests to get out of jail were granted in the Bay State over the past three years, a Herald review of prison data shows.
The most recent example was convicted sex offender Wayne W. Chapman, who was set to be freed based on the analysis of two psychiatrists or “qualified examiners.”
Chapman did unspeakable things to alleged scores of children over many years, but somehow was deemed to be ready to re-enter society. Incredibly, cases like his are not all that uncommon.
The state heard 53 petitions for release from civilly committed sex offenders through September 2017 — with 15 petitions granted, according to Department of Correction records.
In 2016, 14 sex offenders went free after 52 petitions were filed, records show.
In 2015, out of 57 sex offenders who sought freedom, 15 got their wish.
Not a bad deal for the predator class: Destroy countless lives and find yourself with better than 1-in-4 odds of sweet freedom, well-positioned to pick up where you left off.
Thankfully, Gov. Charlie Baker is moving to stop the madness. He filed a bill this week that calls for a “full court hearing” on any predator up for release — not just before two independent psychologists.
About time.
“Serial child predators should be behind bars for the rest of their lives, not out in our communities,” Baker said in a statement. This is common sense. One more time for anyone who may have missed the point: “Child rapists are the worst kind of horrific criminals and they should be behind bars for the rest of their lives.”
This is not about daft notions of forgiveness and rehabilitation. It is about punishment and prevention. It is not about us. It is about children.