(AP) – The Missouri Supreme Court says it’s constitutional
to commit sex offenders to secure confinement after prison.In two rulings Tuesday, the high court supported the Missouri law, which
allows sexually violent offenders to be committed indefinitely to mental
institutions.
to commit sex offenders to secure confinement after prison.In two rulings Tuesday, the high court supported the Missouri law, which
allows sexually violent offenders to be committed indefinitely to mental
institutions.
A man convicted of sodomy and a man convicted of rape challenged their
commitments and the constitutionality of the law.
A public defender for the men in separate court challenges argued the program
is unconstitutional and makes release almost impossible. She said no one has
been released.
Supreme Court judges said in the rulings said that the program is not punitive
and is meant to keep sexually violent predators from hurting others, as well as
to provide treatment.
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