The Appeal: They Served Their Time. But They May Still Die in State Custody.
In half the country, sex offense civil commitment incarcerates people after they complete their prison sentences.
Nationally, more than 6,000 people are held in sex offense civil commitment, according to a 2024 report from the Prison Policy Initiative. While the states that run such programs say they’re focused on rehabilitation, critics have long said the systems seem to be a thinly veiled way to warehouse people instead of treating them. Such programs have long been called untransparent and stacked with draconian release conditions. Furthermore, studies have shown that sex offense civil commitment does not prevent sexual violence.
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Father, God we pray for you to do what only you can do. Please move on the hearts of those in positions to change the ineffective and harsh laws that keep individuals in chains even after time served. We pray for common sense to prevail with compassion and tierd punishment for different offenses. In Jesus Name we ask. 🙏🙏😥
Treatment v punishment, public information v punishment (or collateral damage in reality)
If it is treatment, there is a graduation goal and metrics to match, not lifetime wash, rinse, repeat until death do they part. Only the govt can move the goalposts and continue the program. What are the T&Cs of the contract between the state and the individual?
The collateral damage of the registry is public info who uses it as they see fit to punish the person. The courts and the elected officials can outlaw this but will they and to what extent to allow reintegration into society?
Who determines if an incarcerated person must have a civil commitment hearing in Florida?
Wellpath Recovery Solutions?
The Florida Department of Children and Families?
Or …
The FDOC?
I am typing this for a roommate of mine who was an actual resident at the Florida Civil Commitment Center in Arcadia for eight years. He is out now and the following is his response to this thread. (he is not allowed to touch a keyboard, one of the restrictions he is under)
Neither Wellpath Recovery Solutions nor DCF determines who is placed in the Civil Commitment Center. The process is that at least two doctors sent by DCF make reports that get sent to the State’s Attorney in the county of conviction who then takes it before a judge who then decides who gets committed and who does not. Among the criteria they utilize is the Static 99R form, out of Minnesota, I think, as well as one’s history of sex offending–especially if multiple victims or multiple convictions–including any from out of state. Even though they are supposed to use Florida cases only.
On a personal note, having been there, and yes, it is not quite as bad as a “regular” prison, I also hope they never close the facility. There are people there whom I met, that I would welcome to my home or my family’s home, day or night, regardless of who is there. However, there are also people there who I would not want to see EVER be released. They don’t care that they hurt people, they are proud of hurting people and plan on hurting people if they get out.
I realize that my opinion will be controversial, but that is the truth. While many there can be helped, including myself, there are some true monsters that are safely confined from the public. Hopefully for the rest of their lives. As an aside, I know guys there who have been committed for more than twenty-five years AFTER serving their prison sentence.
Mike the former resident, with Mark typing
Hi Mark and Mike,
Thank you for this valuable information. Better than what my attorney provided. Let me make sure I have this correct:
DCF reviews records of SOs and SPs incarcerated at the FDC who are close to EOS. They then determine who should be examined by at least two of their own doctors. These doctors determine if the incarcerated person is a candidate for civil commitment. If so, they send their reports to the State’s Attorney who puts together a case that goes to a county judge.
If a hearing is set, the incarcerated person is sent to the county of conviction’s jail to prepare a defense and await the outcome.
Do I have it correct?
One more question: How soon before EOS do the DCF’s doctors do their examinations? My LO’s EOS is in July, so we’re wondering when these docs might come to see him.
Thank you again.
Dear George,
Yes, you have it basically correct. And, I am more than glad to help clarify the situation. Now, as for your question as to how long before EOS your LO might be “interviewed”, it can vary a little bit. In my case (Mike), it was approximately four months or so prior to my scheduled release. My original EOS was in early July and they came to interview me in March/April. They came about two weeks apart. As for the court part, you may or may not see the judge before the official EOS date. In my case, I did, but I understand that most of the time, that is not the way it happens.
George, that was Mike. Now it is Mark. (sorry if that gets confusing). In my case, I saw a doctor four years prior to my EOS. However, it was just a “preliminary” screening that knocked me out of having to go. However, that doctor said the “danger” criteria are multiple offenses (in or out of state) and multiple victims over a period of time. For most who are a single, isolated case, even if there happen to be more than one “incident” with that victim, generally, that is not the ones that DCF is looking for.
Mark continuing. Let’s put this another way. Roughly ten percent of the Florida Department of Corrections inmates have a sex offense of one kind or another. That number varies a bit, but a good benchmark to use. And, once again, statistically, about twenty-five percent or so of the inmate population EOS’s EVERY YEAR. (i.e. lots of little sentences). Take those numbers and there are about 90,000 inmates. That means that roughly 2,250 inmates with a sex offense are released every year. The capacity of the Jimmy Ryce camp is only about 700 or so. You can do the math. The vast majority of inmates do NOT go there.
Mike back. In my experience, and I helped with the intake of new residents (we don’t call them inmates), we average two or three newbies in a month. Not that many.
So, George, overall, any particular person has an extremely LOW chance of going there. Unless he is considered “dangerous” by DCF for the two conditions mentioned above–multiple offense AND multiple victims. Technically, I was told (Mark speaking) that “anyone” is “eligible”. However, the raw truth is very few go there.
Not sure if all this helped clarify things or not. Mike says if your LO hasn’t been interviewed yet, he will be soon, if he is at all.
Mark and Mike
Hi Mark & Mike,
My LO’s EOS is July 4. His reentry classification officer even called him into her office to speak with someone at the reentry center in our county. They also have him taking a couple of courses that are required prior to release.
So I think things are going as well as possible.
Two questions for you fellas:
1. Mike, did you have an actual hearing prior to going to Civil Commitment? Were you able to have an attorney present?
2. Mark and Mike, did conditional release apply to you? Did you have to wear a monitor?
Thanks again for all your assistance. You should write an article for the Florida Action Committee. It would benefit many.
George
It’s never about rehabilitation. It’s about funding for police and the prison system. Very corrupt country.