Conditional Release Programs for Civilly Committed Sex Offenders

Abstract

Data relating to the community-based placement of post civilly committed sex offenders throughout the United States has been gathered through surveys, interviews, and through the personal observations and experiences of those working in this developing area. Although relatively few sex offenders have attained community-based placement after being civilly committed, emerging patterns in supervision tools and techniques, housing options due to residency restrictions, the impact of registration and notification laws, recidivism rates, the financial costs of conditional release, and the implementation barriers that conditional release programs encounter are increasingly being addressed by professionals managing this population. In general, these programs are well funded, comprehensive, and successfully focused on deterring re-offense. However, significant barriers in housing, community reaction, sex offender self-support, and costs threaten the long-term success of these programs.