The documentary about which this thread was started seemed to be implying that they were some sort of victims, though I didn't catch much of it. I got the impression it was a bit of a damage limitation exercise though. I imagine a lot of people disapproved of their release, and in Venables' case were proved right. However, whatever 'made' them like they were, the end result was the same, and public safety should be the first priority, regardless of how old they were at the time. What I'd like to know is, if they had to let them out, why they weren't watching them a damn sight more closely than was obviously the case. Whoever was responsible for those decisions owes the public an explanation.