Cranston Says It's Being Sent Too Many Sex Offenders

CRANSTON, RI—Harrington Hall has become the "state's shelter of last resort," Mayor Allan Fung says, and the result has meant too many sex offenders and winding up in Cranston. The mayor, city councilors and state representatives want the state to put a cap on the number of offenders who can stay in any facility, if it's receiving state funds.

On Wednesday, state Rep.Robert Lancia testified at the Statehouse about the growing sex offender population in Cranston. He is offering two reforms. House Bill No. 5159 would cap the number of sex offenders at 10 percent of the shelter's population. He also is sponsoring House Bill No. 5207 to require sex offenders to register with law enforcement within one hour of their arrival at a facility.

Both bills would end the problems Cranston has experienced, he said.

“This situation has been going on for too many years now and despite repeated promises to correct the situation, ultimately nothing has been done. The residents are worried about people who are being released at 7 a.m. and not allowed back into the facility until 5 p.m. I have five schools within a very short walking distance of Harrington Hall. Moreover, during the summer, the children are out of school and these people are wandering the streets. It is only a matter of time before something terrible happens and then it’s too late,” Rep. Lancia added.

Fung sent a letter of support.

“Cranston has a disproportionate number of registered sex offenders because of the state’s shelter of last resort, Harrington Hall, in the John O. Pastore Center state government complex," the mayor wrote. "In recent years, the number of registered sex offenders listing the shelter as their permanent address has increased dramatically, from a handful each night to upwards of thirty or more every single day. Such a large concentration of sex offenders in one area is taking a financial and manpower toll on our city resources. Our police department must constantly monitor the sex offender population, facilitate a steady stream of community notifications as offenders are released from prison and serve as first responders for any incidents at the shelter or in the community.”

Co-sponsors of House bill 5159 include Representatives Charlene Lima (D-District 14 Cranston, Providence), Michael Chippendale (R-District 40 Foster, Glocester, Coventry), Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. (D-District 22 Warwick), and Robert B. Jacquard (D-District 17 Cranston).