Tread carefully

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Stanko was under the supervision of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services' Community Supervision Program. The program was created nearly 10 years ago with passage of so-called truth in sentencing reform laws that abolished parole for violent offenders and stiffened sentences. Stanko, who was serving a 10-year sentence for kidnapping, had served 85 percent of his time. By law, he was automatically released to the Community Supervision Program where he served the rest of his sentence under watch of the state.

This case has a few lawmakers questioning whether automatic release indicates a failed system. But before pushing for change, lawmakers should remember that the new system is a vast improvement over the old one. Prior to the CSP, a violent offender would likely have been released much earlier and without state supervision. With CSP, violent ex-convicts have a better shot at reintegrating into the community and not returning to prison.

No one saw Stanko's alleged crime spree coming. Lawmakers are entitled to question whether the CSP is flawed. But it appears that the flaws in this case belong to Stanko, and nothing Probation, Parole and Pardons could have done would have stopped him.