A new 250-bed Atascadero State Hospital wing for an expected influx of Sexually Violent Predators is the main focus of new money that Governor Wilson proposes to pump into the state hospital system.

His proposed state budget released January 9 includes not only $33 million for the new wing, but another $1 million on preliminary plans for a second 250-bed SVP facility at ASH.

The budget calls for an additional $25 million for housing and treating SVPs at Atascadero -- the only state hospital allowed to have them. Reports are that when the building is completed, it will be staffed by 300 to 400 new hires, largely Psych Techs.

For the state hospital system as a whole, the budget projects the number of forensic patients -- those committed in connection with crimes -- will increase by around 340 by June 30, 1999. So the budget includes $18.1 to deal with this.

It's expected that this will mean additional staff in all state hospitals, but as of Outreach press time exact figures weren't available.

The budget also proposes for fire and life safety and environmental improvements at both Patton and Metropolitan state hospitals. A future Outreach will cover those details.

Regarding Atascadero's SVP treatment program, 72 men are committed now and 133 "pre-commitments" are awaiting a court decision on commitment.

The SVP law is still under appeal, but the U.S. Supreme Court last year upheld a similar Kansas law. So the budget assumes California's law will be approved and that SVPs will increase to 321 by June 30, 1999.

The SVP program evaluates dangerous repeat offenders before they're paroled and refers them for civil commitment. If mental health professionals and a court finds they are likely to commit further sexually violent crimes, they are civilly committed for two years.

When that time is up, a re-evaluation determines whether they are still a threat to public safety. If so, they may be recommitted for an additional two-year term. When their mental disorder is controlled so that sexual violence is no longer likely, they are released.