Governor: Review halfway houses

CINCINNATI (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland wants a review of a halfway house that released a convicted sex offender now charged with killing a 13-year-old girl. The state has also clarified how halfway houses should release paroled offenders after the slaying of Esme Kenney.

Strickland said he’s concerned about lapses in procedures that led to the February release of Anthony Kirkland 40, of Cincinnati.

Strickland, a former state prison psychologist, said he has talked with state prison officials about evaluating the center regarding its future. Six members of Cincinnati City Council sent a letter to Strickland on Tuesday asking him to cut state funds to Pogue Rehabilitation Center, which is registered as a home address for more than 60 sex offenders.

On Friday, Ohio’s deputy director of parole and community services told halfway houses they must contact a regional parole administrator before evicting an offender on parole.

Court records show Kirkland was convicted in March 2008 of soliciting sex from a 13-year-old girl and was jailed until Oct. 20. The center expelled Kirkland for fighting Feb. 27. Police were called but said they couldn’t arrest him because the man he hit wouldn’t press charges. Center officials notified parole authorities March 2. Esme’s body was found in the woods about a block from her home March 8.