Special Commitment Center - Commitment Process

Commitment Process

Prior to release from prison, Washington State law requires every sex offender to be reviewed by an End of Sentence Review Committee. The committee, chaired by the Department of Corrections, rates the offender on a scale from 1 to 3 on their likeliness to reoffend. This determines the level of supervision of the individual required after release. If the committee finds that the offender meets the legal definition of "sexually violent predator," they refer the case to the Special Commitment Center. The prosecutor's office that represents the county where the individual was convicted is then given the opportunity to petition for commitment to the center. The offender is kept at the SCC until a "probable cause" hearing is held. If the judge finds that there is probable cause, the individual is confined at the SCC indefinitely. Otherwise, they are released.

Once committed, an individual has the right to an annual progress review by the court. A conditional release is granted only if it's found to be in the best interests of the individual and that conditions can be imposed that would adequately protect the community. To be released, the individual must be put under the care of a treatment provider that will provide regular updates to the court and be placed in housing that will notify authorities if the individual leaves without authorization.