Sex Offenders

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP)?
  2. What kind of treatment is provided?
  3. How many SVPs are committed from San Diego County?
  4. What is conditional release into the community?
  5. What is the rationale for placing multiple patients at the same location?
  6. Are SVPs ever released without conditions?
  7. How many former SVPs are there in San Diego County?
  8. Where are Phase V SVPs permitted to live?
  9. Do SVPs have to register as sex offenders?
  10. Is GPS used to keep track of SVPs?
  11. Does law enforcement monitor SVPs more closely that other sex offenders?
  12. What happens if a released SVP patient violates his Terms and Conditions?

1. What is a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP)? [TOP]
An SVP is a person (almost all are men) who has been convicted of one qualifying sex crime who has a mental disorder which makes him dangerous to the community after a court commitment proceeding under Welfare & Institutions Code 6600. Once he is found to meet SVP criteria, the patient is committed to the Department of Mental Health until he is deemed 1) ready for community-based treatment or 2) no longer presents a danger to the community. Those determinations are made in a court hearing.

2. What kind of treatment is provided? [TOP]
There are 5 phases to the California Sex Offender Commitment Program. The first 3 are aimed at recognizing and controlling high risk behaviors through cognitive behavioral therapy. Phase IV begins to prepare the SVP for possible community-based treatment (Phase V) and eventual community re-integration. Although all committed SVPs are offered treatment, at this time only about 20% have chosen to participate in the treatment program.

3. How many SVPs are committed from San Diego County? [TOP]
As of September 2011, there were 65 SVPs committed from San Diego County. Six SVPs have been ordered into Phase V (community-based treatment) -- Douglas Badger, Matthew Hedge, David Chambless, Gary Snavely, John Norman and Frank Johnson. Gary Snavely, Douglas Badger, and John Norman were revoked by Liberty Healthcare and the Court, and returned to the hospital for further treatment. Matthew Hedge, who had been placed in the community in 2006 and revoked, was ordered into community treatment in the Phase V program for a second time in December 2009. Frank Johnson is scheduled to be placed in the community in October 2011.

4. What is conditional release into the community? [TOP]
This is the final phase of treatment while the SVP is placed in and supervised within the community. For more information, read "What is Outpatient Treatment".

5. What is the rationale for placing multiple patients at the same location? [TOP]
There are economic reasons, including rental saving and efficiency of transporting to various treatment programs patients are required to participate in each day. However, more importantly according to DMH, the research indicates that sex offenders living together who are in treatment reoffend at lower rates that those living alone.

6. Are SVPs ever released without conditions? [TOP]
Yes. Committed SVPs have a right to a court hearing to determine if they continue to qualify as an SVP. The SVP may bring a motion to have a court determine that, or it may occur as a part of the regular court process under Welfare & Institutions Code 6600. A judge or a jury may rule that a particular patient no longer meets the legal requirements for SVP commitment. When that occurs, the "former" SVP is released into the community without any supervision, other than the requirement he remain law-abiding and register as a sex offender every 90 days.

7. How many former SVPs are there in San Diego County? [TOP]
There are currently 4 former SVPs residing in San Diego County.

8. Where are Phase V SVPs permitted to live? [TOP]
If an SVP is being supervised as an outpatient in the community, he can only live in a court-approved placement.

9. Do SVPs have to register as sex offenders? [TOP]
Yes. All current and former SVPs are required to register every 90 days, or whenever they move. There are also other registration requirements for particular situations which are explained to them at the time they register. For instance, if a former SVP were to move, he would need to register with the police department reporting his new address.

10. Is GPS used to keep track of SVPs? [TOP]
If a SVP is a Phase V outpatient being treated in the community, he will have to wear a GPS as part of his supervision. Other former SVPs have no such monitoring.

11. Does law enforcement monitor SVPs more closely that other sex offenders? [TOP]
Yes. Law enforcement watches SVPs more closely that other registered sex offenders. In San Diego County, the Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force is aware of each high risk offender in the county. Working with law enforcement agencies throughout the county, the SAFE team proactively monitors these offenders. Additionally, when an SVP is in the community under a court-ordered placement, law enforcement is part of the Community Safety Team established by Liberty Healthcare, the community supervision program. For more information, read "What is Outpatient Treatment".

12. What happens if a released SVP patient violates his Terms and Conditions? [TOP]
When the community safety is threatened by the violation, he is immediately revoked and returned to the hospital. In San Diego, this has happened with 3 patients. For more information, read "What is Outpatient Treatment".