State audit finds slow placements, oversight gaps in CONREP program as lawmakers push reforms

A state audit released in October 2024 found that California takes far longer than intended to place sexually violent predators (SVPs) into community housing under the Department of State Hospitals’ Conditional Release Program (CONREP), prompting sharp questions from legislators and divided recommendations from the department and its contractor, Liberty Healthcare.

State Auditor Grant Parks summarized the report for the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, saying, “SVPs participating in the con rep program were convicted of new offenses less frequently than SVPs who were unconditionally released by the courts,” but he also detailed lengthy placement delays and other problems identified by auditors.

Why it matters: the audit found average waits of about 17 months between a court approving CONREP participation and approval of a specific housing location; for SVPs awaiting placement the average wait was roughly 20 months, with at least one person waiting more than four years. Auditors flagged persistent problems with the housing search process, limited county participation on statutorily required housing committees, and weaknesses in how the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) held Liberty Healthcare accountable for known deficiencies.

Key findings and figures

- Placement delays: auditors reported an average of 17 months from a court’s order authorizing CONREP participation to court approval of a housing location; for the group awaiting placement the report cited a 20-month average wait and one individual waiting 4½ years.

- Public safety outcomes: auditors found 2 of 56 SVPs placed through CONREP were convicted of new offenses while in the community. The audit also found courts revoked CONREP participation and returned…