Number: RL34068
Title: Civil Commitment of Sexually Dangerous Persons
Authors: Nathan James, Domestic Social Policy Division; Kenneth R. Thomas, American Law Division; Cassandra Foley, Knowledge Services Group 
Abstract: An issue for Congress is whether civil commitment is a sustainable policy for dealing with sexually dangerous persons, or whether there is a different way to manage this population effectively. The issue of civil commitment raises a series of concomitant questions: How much do civil commitment programs cost? How dangerous are sex offenders? Is sex offender treatment effective? Can sexually dangerous persons be defined and identified? Are there less restrictive alternatives for managing sex offenders?
Pages: 49
Date: July 2, 2007