McKenzie Hartmann -child rapist escapes -4th period

This article details the recent escape of a convicted child rapist from his half way home in Colorodo. A warrant was immediately issued for the fugitive Eric Eugene Hartwell, who was convicted in 1991 of rape and in 1996 of  attempted indecent liberties.  Hartwell always sentenced to five years in prison and a life of supervised parole by a Texas judge, which is considerably lenient considering the severity of his actions.  However, after failure to register as a sex offender in his current address, Hartwell was moved to a halfway home where he could be more closely monitored. This attempt to constrain the criminal apparently failed, within the short period Hartwell was present in the home, he was able to disconnect his monitoring ankle bracelet and flee. Authorities are still searching, though they strongly believe he has fled to Texas, they continue their search throughout the entire country aiming to catch Hartwell "as soon as possible."

While I find the intensity of the search and tenacity of law enforcement encouraging, I find it appalling that it is even necessary. To begin with rape, especially in a case as heinous as this one with a child, warrants more than a five year sentence. Furthermore, this man's numerous convictions indicate that he is a repeat offender and should've more closely monitored.  The current actions of law enforcement officers and their man hunt are admirable, but what would've been even more admirable would've been successful prevention. I hope when they find Hardwell a harsher penalty is enforced upon him, or at the very least more regulations and stricter monitoring.