The Ministry of Justice yesterday rejected the parole application of a serial rapist known as the "Hwakang Wolf," who wanted to study at National Taiwan University.
"We reached the decision after we carefully reviewed his case and his rehabilitation evaluation," said Huang Cheng-nan (黃徵男), director of the ministry's Department of Corrections.
"Nevertheless, according to the law, he is allowed to file another application in four months," Huang said.
The man, who now is only identified by his surname, Yang, was sentenced to 16 years on Nov. 19, 1996, after being convicted on 34 charges, including 27 counts of rape.
Yang passed the college entrance exam in the summer of 2001 and gained admission to the Sociology Department of National Taiwan University.
His first parole application was turned down that year, so the university allowed him to defer his admission for a year.
Last year, his second application was rejected. However, he paid the university's fees and filed an application to drop out for a year.
If he cannot attend classes by this fall, he will lose his place and have to take the entrance exam again.
Huang said yesterday that law enforcement officers regarded rape as a violent crime and those convicted of it face stricter review of their parole applications.
"I understand that our decision is crucial to whether he can become a freshman at National Taiwan University this fall," Huang said. "But, as I said, he can apply for parole again in four months so the door is not completely closed."
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