La. debates whether to hold sex offenders longer

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana is considering joining more than a dozen other states that allow the confinement of sex offenders beyond their prison sentences, by involuntarily placing them in mental health facilities for treatment. The laws have proven popular, with supporters saying they help protect the public from violent sex offenders who may commit new crimes when they leave jail and give needed treatment to offenders who likely arent getting it behind bars. Critics say the laws are a backdoor way to keep sex offenders locked up longer, violate their constitutional rights and endanger others seeking psychiatric treatment in facilities where the sex offenders are confined. In the just ended legislative session, lawmakers asked the state health department to study ways to set up a civil commitment system for Louisianas violent sex offenders. A study panel will make recommendations to the Legislature within six months. (© The Associated Press, All rights reserved.)