The $62 Million Question: Is Virginia\u27s New Center to House Sexually Violent Prisoners Money Well Spent?

This comment examines Virginia\u27s current civil commitment statute for sexual predators and attempts to identify areas where Virginia should concentrate its limited resources in order to address more adequately the ever-increasing problem of what to do with sex offenders. Part II briefly describes why sex offenders present law enforcement with unique problems in prevention and deterrence. Part III details the history of civil commitment legislation. Part IV examines Supreme Court of the United States jurisprudence regarding the constitutionality of sex offender civil commitment statutes. Part V examines the Virginia Sexually Violent Predator Act. Part VI briefly considers current violent sexual predator legislation in other states, using Washington and Texasas examples. Part VII provides analysis and criticism of the cur- rent Virginia statute. Part VIII recommends ways in which Virginia might reform the current law. Part IX concludes the comment