I think it depends. I actually think that with enough early intervention, violent child offenders can be rehabilitated. Their brains are not done baking yet and can be rewired, IMO. But I do not have the same opinion when it comes to pedophilia. If a child is diagnosed as having pedophilia (meaning he or she is obsessed with the idea of sexual activity with children at least five years younger than them), I think the chances of rehabilitation are zero. I don't think anyone has figured out how to change a set sexual dynamic. Nevertheless, not all children who sexually abuse other children are pedophiles. Some may simply be acting out something that happened to them - trying to make sense of it or acting out in anger.
In this case, one boy seems to have been successfully rehabilitated. The other is clearly a pedophile and was not successfully rehabilitated. I share the rage of others who think his parole should be revoked and he should be put back in prison to serve out his life sentence. They gave rehabilitation a shot, a good, strong effort. It did not work. This guy has proved that he remains dangerous. Maybe concerned citizens should try to sue the government for putting their safety at risk by not recalling this person to serve out his life sentence. It's over for him. The on-going efforts of the government to protect this one criminal have the effect of putting the entire rest of the population at grave risk. How is that right?
