Two men with the designation of sexually violent predators were ordered by San Diego Superior Court judges to be conditionally released as transients after long and fruitless efforts to secure permanent housing for them. Alvin Ray Quarles and Merle Wade Wakefield, who have both served their sentences and undergone treatment for their classifications, are caught in a systemic quandary that has challenged the legal and mental health communities.
According to Judge Yvonne Campos, Wakefield, 67, is expected to be released by next Tuesday. Campos ordered that he be placed in one of two currently vacant homes previously used to house SVPs. However, if those homes become unavailable, Wakefield would be moved to an RV, which would be provided by Liberty Healthcare—the company operating the state's conditional release program, as NBC San Diego reports. Campos noted that in Wakefield's case, nearly 7,000 properties have been evaluated as potential housing.
Quarles, 62, whose release is more uncertain, won't see freedom until after a December 19 court hearing. At that time, Liberty Healthcare officials are expected to discuss options for his transient release. This comes after Quarles was ordered released nearly a year ago, and the difficulties encountered in finding suitable placement echo the broader struggle – a state audit earlier this year revealed it takes an average of 19 months to find appropriate housing for an SVP in San Diego County. San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan has expressed frustration with the process, emphasizing the obligation of the Department of State Hospitals and Liberty Healthcare to secure proper housing for these individuals, as stated in her NBC San Diego interview.
During the hearing for Wakefield, Judge Campos assured that "Wakefield is due his qualified liberty," recognizing previous rulings that deemed him eligible to be released, as reported by the East Bay Times. She continued to assure the public about safety, stating, "He is going to be monitored." These conditions highlight the delicate balance courts attempt to maintain between the rights of the individuals being released and the safety of the communities into which they are reintegrated.
Advocates and victims alike are closely watching these cases. Mary Taylor, one of Quarles' victims, attended the hearing and shared her discontent with what she sees as a lack of transparency in the process. "They (the court and legal representatives) say, 'Okay, here’s a decision we made based on all the great information we just got that you didn’t get to hear,'" she told the East Bay Times. While the procedures in place aim to deal with complex legal and ethical issues, the sentiment expressed by Taylor underlines the personal cost and lingering concerns that surround the release of sexually violent predators into the community.
