The Ministry of Justice yesterday rejected the parole application of a serial rapist surnamed Yang, but known in the media as the "Hwakang Wolf."
The rejection of the request puts the prisoner's hope of becoming a student at National Taiwan University on hold for the time being.
The Taipei Times follows the Taiwan media convention of not giving his full name -- although it is matter of public record -- for fear of prejudicing his chances of rehabilitation.
Upon hearing the outcome, Yang "took the news calmly," an official at Taipei Prison, where Yang is an inmate, told the media.
"[Yang] had prepared for the worst before the decision was made today. The prison counselor will provide more intensive counseling to ensure his emotional stability," the official said.
Yesterday's decision was reached after a one-and-a-half-hour discussion attended by senior officials at the justice ministry.
"The number and the severity of the crimes committed by Yang seriously undermined public safety. His sexual assaults dismayed society, especially women," said Vice Minister of Justice Hsieh Wen-ting (
"It appears that the public is still highly concerned about the chances of his repeating his criminal behavior and the inmate is still in need of treatment and psychological counseling. Furthermore, there is insufficient evidence that Yang would be able to control his behavior."
Although the ministry gave Yang credit for the sincerity of his desire to make a new start in life, Hsieh said it could not grant the parole application before a separate thorough evaluation had been carried out.
National Taiwan University said that Yang's place will be held for two years. Legal specialists said that Yang will be allowed to submit another application for parole as long as he behaves well in jail.
The decision puts an end to the heated debate that has raged since early August about whether a convicted serial rapist should be granted parole to become a college student.
The debate was sparked when Yang's results in the Joint College Entrance Examination were released, showing that he had scored high enough to enter the university.
Yang was sentenced in 1996 to 16 years for multiple sexual and violent offenses. Court reports said that Yang had raped 19 women, attempted to rape 11 others and robbed four individuals between 1994 and 1996.
Police officials branded him the "Hwakang Wolf" because most of his victims were college students in the Hwakang area near Yangmingshan National Park.
Under the criminal code, Yang is qualified to apply for parole now that he has served one third of his sentence.
But controversy has centered on the shortage of evidence showing that Yang would be able to curb his sexual urges after being paroled, given the interruption of his treatment during the beginning of his prison term.
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