On June 15, 2023, our County District Attorney Summer Stephan sent a letter to the Director of the California Department of State Hospitals (DSH), requesting that DSH explore a new and different way to place Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs) when they are conditionally released. I support the DA’s letter to DSH and ask for your support as well.
Background On Current Process
Right now, when an inmate who has committed at least one sexually violent predatory offense is approaching the completion of their state prison sentence, DSH assigns experts to determine whether that person qualifies for conditional release. DSH then works with Liberty Healthcare Corporation, a private company, to find a location for the SVP to be housed and to supervise the SVP once placed.
Unfortunately, 71% of all SVP placements in San Diego County are in East County. I have fought to protect our community from additional placements of SVPs and although we have been successful in some instances, it is entirely up to the Superior Court judges to approve or deny a placement. To continue the fight to keep our communities safe, I have expressed my desire to work with the District Attorney, DSH, and other stakeholders to develop a safer and more equitable placement model.
Exploring New Options
As of January 1, 2023, a new state law requires the DA’s Office, together with the lawyer for the SVP, the Sheriff (unincorporated county) or chief of police (incorporated cities), and County Counsel to “provide assistance and consultation” in DSH’s process of locating and securing housing. As a result, the San Diego County DA’s Office embarked on a nationwide search of safe and feasible models that would meet the requirements of the law while keeping our community safe. They found that the model used in the State of Washington could be replicated in California and could provide our County with a safer way to house SVPs.
Under Washington’s placement model, four to six SVPs can reside together in a location that is not located in a residential community, with a house manager supervising the home, and 24-hour security staff monitoring the location. Additionally, SVPs are required to wear GPS devices and must be escorted whenever they leave the home. Finding a suitable location for this model would require a transparent and collaborative process with the community. My priority remains to protect families, increase equity for East County, and create safer communities when we must inevitably engage with this process again.
How You Can Help
I’ve created this petition to help garner support for the District Attorney’s letter to the Department of State Hospitals, asking them to explore implementing a model like the one used in Washington. The reality is that we will continue to receive SVP placements in our County—and I would rather them all be placed together at a location that has 24/7 security and a house manager supervising the home.
If you want to protect our communities and create a safer process to place SVPs, please sign the petition to show your support.