OLYMPIA… Members of the Washington State Senate today voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 5218, sponsored by Sen. Mike Carrell, R-Lakewood, which would restrict the computer access of violent sex predators housed in the state’s Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. 

“This is a victory for the people of Pierce County and the state of Washington,” Carrell said. “If my bill becomes law, violent sexual psychopaths will have a much more difficult time trying to get their hands on images of child pornography.” 

SB 5218 requires that the use of a computer by SCC residents only be allowed if Department of Social and Health Services representatives who operate the SCC deem it necessary for an individual’s treatment. Carrell says some of the individuals at the SCC have used the computers there to view child porn on discs and flash drives smuggled in from the outside, or even create it themselves using drawing programs. 

A similar bill from Carrell was passed unanimously by the same committee last year but met some resistance when being debated by the full House of Representatives. Carrell says he’s prepared to work with House members to make sure any lingering issues are addressed so the public safety of Washington residents may be maintained. 

“This is a common-sense measure that I hope will be met with equal support in the House of Representatives,” Carrell said. “Had we not run out of time last year it likely would have been law already.”