$80M SEX OFFENDER BILL (Some welcome ‘civil confinement’ plan as step forward; others foresee many enforcement issues)

PFMLIT ABOUT SEX OFFENDERS, ABOUT SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS, CIVIL CONFINEMENT COMMITTMENT, General, LEGISLATION, REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS AND OTHERS GENERAL, REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS GENERAL, STATE BY STATE NEW YORK

Newsday/Dan Janison

A system that would keep convicted sex offenders confined after their prison term is expected torequire hundreds of state personnel and more than $80 million a year. It was not immediately clearhow the new civil confinement system will overlap or mesh with the current Level 1, Level 2, andLevel 3 sex offender categories set out under Megan's Law. Spitzer said about 1,500 inmates wouldfit what will be called a sexually motivated felony, but that does not mean anything close to thatnumber would be confined.

HOW THE PLAN WOULD WORK

Before their scheduled release from prison, mental health experts would assess inmates todetermine whether they pose a risk of committing more sex offenses. A jury would then decidewhether a convict is likely to commit future crimes, and a judge would rule on confining theoffender or placing him under intensive supervision after release.

(New York)