Recidivism and the Sexually Violent Predator Population

Abstract

Sexually violent predator (SVP) laws were designed to civilly commit those sexual offenders who pose a high risk of re-offense if released into the community following their prison sentence. Therefore, eligibility for SVP commitment is based, in part, on the criteria that an offender is likely to commit future acts of sexual violence. Once committed, the offender has the opportunity during annual hearings to demonstrate they no longer meet statutory criteria for SVP commitment. That is, they have the opportunity to demonstrate that they no longer pose a substantial risk for recidivism. This raises the question: how much risk of reoffending do SVPs pose? Currently a total of 5,355 individuals are civilly committed under SVP laws in the United States, with an additional 1,001 individuals currently detained awaiting evaluation or a decision regarding commitment. This chapter summarizes what one knows about recidivism for the SVP population, covering recidivism rates of general (i.e., non- SVP) sexual offenders, recidivism data related to the SVP population, and barriers to the discharge and reintegration of SVPs. It discusses less restrictive alternatives (i.e., outpatient commitment and conditional release) utilizing two program case studies as examples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)