CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today applauded a jury’s decision to not allow a convicted sexually violent predator to be released.

A Hillsborough County jury today decided convicted sex offender William Ploof should remain in the state’s Secure Psychiatric Unit for further treatment. Ploof is the first person to be civilly committed under the state’s Child Protection Act. Gov. Lynch made passage of the act a priority in 2006.

Gov. Lynch released the following statement regarding the jury’s decision:

“I am pleased to see that this law is working. The safety of our children is our greatest priority as a State. This Act has created a fair and comprehensive judicial process to evaluate sexually violent predators and ensure that these dangerous criminals are not released back into our communities without proper rehabilitation and treatment.”