Less Restrictive Alternatives

A Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) is an outpatient treatment program in a

community setting for residents who are transitioning from total confinement
at the Special Commitment Center (SCC) on McNeil Island.

1 How a resident becomes eligible for an LRA

• After they are civilly committed by the court following the completion of their prison
sentence and sent to the Special Commitment Center, residents are entitled by law to an
Annual Review by the SCC’s Forensic Services Unit, which is composed of eight psychologists.
• Evaluators are tasked with answering three questions:
1. Does the resident still meet the criteria to qualify as a Sexually Violent Predator?

? 2. Is placement in an LRA in the resident’s best interest?

3. If so, can conditions be imposed at the LRA that will ensure the community’s safety?
• If the Annual Review recommends an LRA, it is then reviewed by the Senior Clinical Team, a separate team made
up of SCC medical professionals and licensed psychologists. This team also interviews the resident to discuss
progress made in treatment.
• The Senior Clinical Team shares its findings with the SCC’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Based on his or her assessment
of those findings, the CEO decides whether to support the resident’s petition to the court for an LRA.

2 Petitioning the court

• If the resident is not satisfied with the Annual Review, his or her lawyer can
contract with an outside expert to conduct their own review.
• The resident, even if not supported by the CEO, is entitled to petition the court for an LRA.
• When petitioning the court for an LRA, the proposed placement must meet a number of requirements:
o There must be a qualified Sex Offender Treatment Provider willing to treat the resident.
o The Department of Corrections (DOC) must investigate the proposed placement and will
recommend conditions to the court to ensure it meets the requirements for community safety.
o The resident will be required to wear a Global Positioning System (GPS) ankle bracelet at all times
that is monitored by law enforcement.
• The court also has discretion to order any additional conditions deemed necessary to protect the
community. This may include trained chaperones to provide transportation and additional supervision
when a resident travels in the community.

3 The courts have the final say

• A hearing is then conducted in the county in which the resident was civilly committed.
The court has the final say on whether the proposed LRA is approved.
• If approved, Special Commitment Center staff transport the resident off of McNeil Island
to complete sex offender and victim witness registration, meet with the DOC Community
Corrections Officer and move the individual into the LRA.
(10/2018)