Citation

Meyer WJ, Molett M, Richards CD, Arnold L, Latham J. Int. J. Offender Ther. Comp. Criminol. 2003; 47(4): 396-406.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, Texas 77555-0189, USA. wmeyer@utmb.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12971181

Abstract

Texas established in 1999 outpatient civil commitment for sexually violent predators discharged from prison with or without parole. These individuals suffer from a behavioral abnormality, have been convicted of two or more sexually violent crimes and are deemed likely to reoffend. Civilly committed individuals are managed by a team composed of case manager (supervision), treatment provider, public safety officer (global positioning satellite monitoring), and other professionals. Treatment consists of individual and group therapy using a standard workbook. Out of 21 committed individuals, 7 are in the treatment, 1 died, 10 are in custody after breaking conditions of commitment that constitute a felony, and 3 await release from prison. Cost of outpatient civil commitment is less than $20,000/person/year compared with more than $100,000 for inpatient commitment in other states. Texas has found outpatient civil commitment to be an effective and relatively low-cost way to protect the public and treat the offender.

Language: en