A pair of men deemed to be sexually violent predators were ordered to be conditionally released from a state hospital by two San Diego Superior Court judges Thursday despite the men having no permanent residences available to them.
Alvin Ray Quarles (San Diego Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement Task Force)
The rulings come after years of legal battles and unsuccessful searches for qualified permanent residences, an issue that has plagued the release program for people convicted of sex crimes who have served their prison terms but were diagnosed with mental disorders, classifying them as sexually violent predators.
The program allows sexually violent predators, or SVPs, to be released from mental institutions after undergoing treatment to permanent residences that meet certain criteria — such as being located a certain distance away from schools. Those released remain monitored and supervised.
On Thursday, Alvin Ray Quarles — dubbed the “bolder-than-most” rapist — and Merle Wakefield, both convicted of rape, were ordered released as transients, meaning that they will be living in temporary housing, possibly at multiple locations, until a permanent home can be located.
Monitoring and supervision will still be performed, with both judges ordering that the men be guarded for 24 hours per day until permanent housing is located.
During the hearing for Wakefield held Thursday morning, Judge Yvonne Campos stressed that he had been granted his release in 2020 but had remained in Coalinga State Hospital while Liberty Healthcare, which oversees SVP releasees, searched unsuccessfully for a permanent home.
According to a report cited by Campos, Liberty had performed more than 6,000 property searches.
“Wakefield is due his qualified liberty,” Campos said, noting that previous judges had already ruled that Wakefield should be released.
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