People v. Jenks CA4/3

DISCUSSION

I.

BACKGROUND REGARDING THE SVPA

The SVPA “‘allows for the involuntary [civil] commitment of certain convicted sex offenders, whose diagnosed mental disorders make them likely to reoffend if released at the end of their prison terms.’ [Citation.] A person can only be civilly committed if, after a trial, a judge or a

3 Cureton is the clinical director of Liberty Healthcare CONREP.

Cureton testified Liberty Healthcare CONREP is responsible for supervising SVPs who are conditionally released into the community. Liberty Healthcare is the only entity providing conditional release for men who have been committed as SVPs. Cureton estimated, during his four years as the clinical director of Liberty Healthcare CONREP, about ten individuals have been released into Liberty Healthcare CONREP, no individual has successfully completed the Liberty Healthcare CONREP program, and five individuals have returned to the hospital. Cureton said 52 men have been conditionally released since the start of Liberty Healthcare CONREP. Certain testimony by Cureton also appears to indicate no individual has completed the Liberty Healthcare CONREP program since its inception.

3 unanimous jury…