Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Effectiveness and Monitoring of Martin Treatment Center for Sexually Violent Predators

Report 00-12, September 2000

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Report Summary

  • This report assesses the performance of Liberty Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., the contractor the Department of Children and Families hired to operate the Martin Treatment Center for Sexually Violent Predators, and examines the department's monitoring of the Liberty contract. The United States Supreme Court has held that civil commitment programs such as Florida's are constitutional if they provide bona fide treatment in a non-punitive environment.
  • Our review found that Liberty's treatment team leaders had appropriate education and experience, though the department and Liberty should establish standards for continuing education for staff.
  • The physical space at Martin Treatment Center is not conducive to treatment and restricts the routine provision of vocational and recreation services. However, Liberty has taken steps to improve the living and treatment environment and some of the constraints should be addressed when the program is moved to a specially renovated facility at DeSoto Correctional Institution in November 2000. Nevertheless, the program should develop a vocational education plan to prioritize use of vocational resources.
  • Liberty's treatment model has evolved over the course of the first year, and treatment planning is improving. However, treatment progress has not been well documented. The program needs to develop and implement a data collection plan to better track resident progress. The Legislature needs to revise the Jimmy Ryce Act to address the need to supervise and treat committed individuals in the community as the final stage before release from the program. One person has already been released from the program without transition.
  • Residents at the facility have sexual impulse problems and sexual activity does occur between residents. The program should continue to monitor such activity and, from a therapeutic perspective, take necessary steps to address such behavior. In addition, the department should investigate an after-hours, off-site event at which sexual misconduct of Liberty employees was alleged to have taken place.

Related Reports
  1. The Delays in Screening Sexually Violent Predators Increase Costs; Treatment Facility Security Enhanced
    Report 08-10 March 2008
  2. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Corporation Has Not Addressed Its Responsibilities Fully
    Report 05-17 March 2005
  3. Centralizing DCF Substance Abuse and Mental Health Programs Provides Benefits But Also Challenge
    Report 05-07 February 2005
  4. Escape from Martin Treatment Center for Sexually Violent Predators
    Report 99-58 June 2000
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
criminal justice, juvenile justice, crime, corrections, sexually violent predators, sex offenders, treatment, ryce act, martin, liberty, mentally ill, desoto, monitoring, evaluation