Sexually Violent Predator Unit
WHO ARE SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS (SVPs)?
When an inmate who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense (qualifying conviction) is within six months of being paroled from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), they will be referred to the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) for a mental health evaluation by at least two experts who will opine whether the inmate meets the sexually violent predator (SVP) criteria. In addition to the qualifying conviction, the SVP criterion requires a diagnosable mental disorder and the likelihood that the person will engage in acts of sexual violence without appropriate in-custody treatment for their mental disorder.
If DSH determines that an individual meets the SVP criteria, they will be referred to the Sexually Violent Predator Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, who will determine whether to file a petition seeking civil commitment to a secure mental institution under the Welfare & Institutions Code. The SVP Unit is a unit of the Sex Crimes Division comprised of highly experienced and specially trained prosecutors who handle all aspects of the SVP commitments in court.
Once a court or jury finds a person to be an SVP beyond a reasonable doubt, the SVP is committed to DSH, where they can receive sex offender treatment. The SVP will remain committed to DSH until a court determines that they are either ready for community-based treatment (conditional release) under the supervision of DSH’s Conditional Release Program (CONREP) or no longer present a danger to the community (unconditional discharge).
If a court determines that the SVP is ready for CONREP, DSH must meet with participants from the county where the SVP will be housed to obtain assistance and consultation in locating housing. The participants are specified by law and include: members of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office SVP Unit, counsel for the SVP, County Counsel, and local law enforcement for the area considered. Prior to a court ordering the placement of an SVP in a specific location, the community will have the opportunity to be heard as to the placement by the court. For additional information on upcoming releases and information on how to provide comment, please check back later.
For a list of individuals currently under the supervision of DSH CONREP in Los Angeles County click here.
For an overview of the Sex Offender Commitment Program at DSH and CONREP, you can visit California Department of State Hospitals - Sex Offender Commitment Program
DSH notice of public meetings regarding CONREP can be found here:
California Department of State Hospitals - Public Meetings
For any questions or concerns regarding SVP, you can reach the SVP Unit at SVP@da.lacounty.gov.
