MASSACHUSETTS
Boston Herald
Owen Boss Saturday, July 29, 2017
Convicted child rapist and defrocked Catholic priest Paul Shanley was released from prison yesterday after two state-contracted psychologists ruled that because of his advanced age and medical status, he wasn’t a “sexually dangerous” person. Here are excerpts from the psychologists’ reports:
* “In reviewing Mr. Shanley’s risk from an actuarial perspective, the Static 99R, a commonly accepted actuarial tool, yields a result of -1, which places him within the ‘below average risk’ rage of sexual reoffense.”
* “Mr. Shanley’s behavior meets the threshold required by the statute for Mental Abnormality. He demonstrates a persistent or chronic deviant sexual interest in prepubescent and under aged male children. In my opinion, Mr. Shanley suffers from a condition that predisposes him to the commission of criminal sexual acts and makes him a menace to the health and safety of others as required by the statute.”
* “Age is a factor that can mitigate risk. Individuals who sexually assault children, victims under the age of 16, demonstrate the most precipitous decrease in risk at the age of 50. Mr. Shanley’s current age 86 would suggest a mitigation risk. Factors associated with age include health, motivation, and opportunity.”
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