Gary D. Finch

FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELY

MARCH 2, 2007

CONTACT: JOSH REAP (518) 455-5981

FINCH: CIVIL CONFINEMENT ARRIVES AFTER 14 YEARS

Assemblyman hails agreement reached on civil confinement

     Assemblyman Gary D. Finch (R,C-Springport) today announced that after 14 years of advocating for civil confinement, the Assembly Republican Conference will finally have the opportunity to vote on this common-sense measure. Legislative leaders in Albany held a press conference Thursday confirming that an agreement on civil confinement has been reached.

     “Civil confinement is a common-sense policy that will keep our neighborhoods safe from sex predators who we know will re-offend,” said Finch. “It doesn’t make sense to release a convicted criminal who has preyed upon children knowing he or she will be a threat to others. Let’s give judges the option to put these individuals in facilities so that they can be monitored and kept away from our loved ones.” 

     Since 1993, Assembly Republicans have advocated legislation that will keep dangerous sexual offenders off the streets after their release from prison and hold them in secure facilities where they can receive intensive mental health treatment. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that civil confinement is constitutional. In fact, it is law in 16 states and the District of Columbia, explains Finch.

     This agreement, in addition to civilly confining dangerous sexual predators, will also:

• Establish a state Office of Sex Offender Management to coordinate all areas related to sex offenders victims including post release supervision, treatment, monitoring, risk assessment, civil commitment, community awareness and victim assistance;

• Create screening panels, which determine whether a released prisoner is a candidate for civil confinement, composed of mental health officials;

• Give judges the option to impose intensive supervision as an alternative to confining offenders in a secure mental facility; and

• Include stiffer penalties for sex offenders, mandates fixed sentencing for sex offenders, and broadens the category of sexual offense to include crimes motivated by sexual violence.

     “Civil confinement is a long overdue safety measure,” said Finch. “With issues as important as civil confinement we need to set aside political differences and protect the most vulnerable members of our society – in this case, it’s our children.”

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