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

Progress Report: Sexually Violent Predator Program Is Reducing Backlog, But Still Not Timely

Report 04-63, August 2004




Report Summary

  • The Sexually Violent Predator Program is not meeting statutory deadlines for processing cases. Legal delays often result in offenders spending extended periods of detention while awaiting the outcome of the commitment process.
  • Because commitment processes have not been completed prior to the end of prison terms, the state has spent $15 million to detain persons who were later released rather than committed. However, the program is reducing the backlog of persons waiting to complete the commitment process.
  • A small portion (5%) of offenders screened out by the commitment process and released have been subsequently arrested for new sex crimes; the program should revisit these cases to determine if any systemic improvements can be made in the assessment and commitment process.
  • The program has strengthened experience and education requirements for private evaluators who conduct the clinical and annual sexually violent predator evaluations, as we recommended.


Related Reports
  1. The Sexually Violent Predator Program's Assessment Process Continues to Evolve
    Report 99-36 February 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.
social services, health, sexual predator, sex offender, sexually violent predator, Jimmy Ryce, civil commitment