(CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday the federal
government has the power to keep some sex offenders behind bars
indefinitely after they have served their sentences if officials
determine those inmates may prove "sexually dangerous" in the future.
"The federal government, as custodian of its prisoners, has the
constitutional power to act in order to protect nearby (and other)
communities from the danger such prisoners may pose," Justice Stephen
Breyer wrote for the 7-2 majority.
At issue was the
constitutionality of federal "civil commitment" for sex offenders who
are nearing the end of their confinement or who are considered too
mentally incompetent to stand trial. See more at http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/17/scotus.sex.offenders/index.html?hpt=....
