Two sex offenders are on the loose after breaking off their electronic ankle monitors, prompting questions over the nation’s judicial parole system and supervision of offenders on parole.
In Hsinchu County, a public safety warning was raised when netizens circulated the news on social media this week.
Online messages told people to look out for repeat sex offender Lee Kuo-sheng (李國生), 43, who lived in Jhubei City, but could be hiding elsewhere, having evaded authorities since the beginning of the year.
Lee was on death row, but had his sentence reduced to a life term on a total of 34 counts of robbery, rape and other offenses. He was paroled in 2011.
After the news was released online, police officials on Friday said that a manhunt for Lee was under way after he violated parole and has eluded police since removing his electronic ankle monitor in January.
Separately, public prosecutors in Taichung on Friday said that Lin Te-yen (林德炎), 49, also remains at large.
Serving a life term on seven counts of burglary, charges of rape and drug possession, Lin was paroled in 2008. While on parole, Lin committed a burglary in 2013. He was later required to wear an electronic ankle monitor so police could track his movements.
The police on Wednesday reported Lin missing, after they found a disabled ankle monitor discarded at his residence.
Both cases have led to questions regarding the judicial parole system, and supervision and monitoring of dangerous criminals.
Critics denounced the judiciary and police units over their inability to track criminals and failure to notify the public of risks, as both men are sex offenders and thus pose a threat.
Much criticism has also been directed at the Department of Prevention, Rehabilitation and Protection, an agency under the Ministry of Justice responsible for overseeing the release, parole and probation of offenders.
Department head Yu Ming-jen (游明仁) said electronic ankle monitors are made of tough materials and contain GPS and radio transmitters.
“Under normal conditions, they are good for keeping track of parolees. However, if people really want to escape, they can pry the ankle monitor apart with tools and break it off,” he said.
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