2023-130 Audit Scope and Objectives
Department of State Hospitals—Sexually Violent Predator Conditional Release Program
The audit by the California State Auditor will provide independently developed and verified information related to the Department of State Hospitals' (State Hospitals) contract with Liberty Healthcare and its management of the Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) Conditional Release Program (CONREP). The audit's scope will include, but not be limited to, the following activities:
- Review and evaluate the laws, rules, and regulations significant to the audit objectives.
- Identify the number of SVPs placed through CONREP since 2000, and determine the following:
- The number who have been convicted of a new offense, broken down by category of offense and specifying sexually violent offenses, which was committed within ten years following community placement through CONREP.
- The number who have violated the terms and conditions of community placement and were removed from assigned housing.
- ew and assess State Hospitals' process for contracting with Liberty Healthcare to manage SVPs placed in CONREP and determine the following:
- Whether the terms and conditions of the contract are consistent with the laws and regulations governing the placement and management of SVPs in CONREP.
- Whether State Hospitals provides sufficient oversight of Liberty Healthcare's management of SVPs placed in CONREP, including whether State Hospitals is ensuring that SVPs are receiving adequate treatment and, if not, how this process could be improved.
- The number of bidders State Hospitals has considered to perform the work relating to CONREP and how often State Hospitals requests bidders to submit proposals for CONREP.
- Determine the total amount that State Hospitals has paid to Liberty Healthcare and all other vendors/contractors over the past 20 years to place SVPs through the CONREP program.
- Determine the extent to which San Diego County and a selection of two additional counties have participated in the placement process, including the extent to which Liberty Healthcare has worked with the counties to ensure placements meet program requirements.
- Identify how often SVPs are placed in close proximity to one another along with the number, frequency, and average cost of attempted SVP placements before the current or final placement is made.
- To the extent possible, identify ways to improve public safety outcomes and mental health outcomes related to the SVP CONREP program.
- Review and assess any other issues that are significant to the audit.
California State Auditor's Office
6/26/2023
