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Pedophile Priest Paul Shanley Released From Prison

BOSTON (CBS) – Convicted pedophile priest Paul Shanley was released from prison Friday morning.

Shanley, 86, one of the most notorious figures in the Boston Archdiocese sex abuse scandal, left the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater after serving a 12-year sentence for child rape.

He will be on probation for 10 years and has been ordered to have no contact with children under 16 years old.

Related:  Shanley Victims Furious He'll Be Released

Even though two court psychologists ruled Shanley was not sexually dangerous, the Sex Offender Registry Board is classifying him as the most dangerous, a Level 3 offender.

His photo and status as a Level 3 offender will be on the Mass.gov website.

The Level 3 designation by the board means they believe he is dangerous and has a high risk to re-offend. The classification also gives the public access to information as to where he will be living.

Shanley was defrocked in 2004 after dozens of men came forward and said he had molested them when they were children.

Paul Shanley
Paul Shanley. (Photo credit: Mass. Sex Offender Registry)

Governor Charlie Baker said Thursday he would re-examine the release of sexually dangerous persons.

"I know people who were horribly affected and damaged by Paul Shanley and I think this is an issue that we're going to take a hard look at," Baker said.

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