Sex offender spared prison because of height

In an AP story, Scott Bauer writes of a sex offender spared prison because of his height:

A judge’s decision to sentence a 5-foot-1 man to probation instead of prison for sexually assaulting a child has angered crime victim advocates who say the punishment sends the wrong message.

As if the sentence itself isn’t disturbing enough, here’s the really bizarre part:

But Joe Mangano, secretary of the National Organization of Short Statured Adults, agreed with the judge’s assessment that Thompson would face dangers while in prison because of his height.

I’m assuming a short inmate would have a much more difficult time than a large inmate, said Mangano, who is five fee, four inches tall. It’s good to see somebody looking out for someone who is a short person.

God forbid that prison should be difficult for anybody, especially men convicted of sexually assaulting 12-year-old girls.