NCJ Number
156568
Date Published
1992
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes findings of an evaluation of Washington's civil commitment procedure for sexually violent predators; the evaluation was conducted Dr. Vernon Quinsey, an international expert in sex offender research.
Abstract
The procedure was included in the 1990 Community Protection Act, which also required evaluations of the effectiveness of State programs for sex offenders and their victims. To date, nine individuals have been committed to the Special Commitment Center in Monroe. The law permits release from the program only if a court finds that the person's mental abnormality or personality disorder has so changed that the person is safe to be at large and will not engage in acts of sexual violence if discharged. Dr. Quinsey recommended continued efforts to develop a cognitive behavioral treatment program, a continuum of supervision and treatment, followup research on released sex offenders, separation of pretrial from posttrial cases, and suitable living arrangements for longterm residents not in active sex offender treatment. List of followup studies and 4 references