2-28-2011 Virginia:RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The General Assembly has rejected Gov. Bob McDonnell's call for a major infusion of cash into the state's program to indefinitely detain violent sexual predators.
In the budget passed Sunday, legislators directed an additional $14 million into the state's civil commitment program. McDonnell had asked for nearly $70 million to keep up with explosive growth in the numbers of sex offenders detained for treatment after serving their prison sentences.
Instead, lawmakers chose to study the program for a year. In the meantime, up to 150 of the more than 200 sex offenders held at a Burkeville psychiatric treatment facility will be double-bunked. Some could be moved to other states with civil commitment programs. ..Source.. by Dena Potter
