“MONTPELIER — A Vermont sex offender who spent an extra 1 1/2 years in prison because he could not find a state-approved place to live after his release is finally getting out.

But the dilemma posed by his placement underscores the heightened sensitivity within the Department of Corrections and Vermont communities in dealing with sex offenders since a highly publicized case in 2008 that prompted changes to the law.

“At significant expense, we’re keeping people beyond their minimum [sentences] because we don’t know how to transition them,’’ said Windsor County State’s Attorney Robert Sand. “The larger story is that in the wake of some high-profile cases where people on probation did some bad things, everyone in state government is more cautious about the release of high-profile offenders.’’…

…But he failed to meet one of the conditions of probation: to identify a suitable place to live once he got out…”

Full story: Vt. sex offender jailed 19 extra months

For PDF of full story, click here.