For the first time in its history, McNeil Island is releasing more patients than it's taking in

Chances are high that you’ve never been to McNeal Island before.

Few have - the island, located in the Puget Sound, southwest of Tacoma, isn’t accessible to the general public.

The only people that are allowed are staff and pre-screened visitors at the Washington State Special Commitment Center - the first post-prison institution for people designated as sexually violent predators.

Around 515 people have been detained in the Special Commitment Center program since 1990. 

But now, a new report from the Seattle Times shows that, for the first time in its history, the center is releasing more patients than it’s taking in. 

What that means for these patients, and the general public, depends on who you ask.

Here to shed some light and help make sense of things is Seattle Times investigative reporter Rebecca Moss.

GUEST: Rebecca Moss - Seattle Times Investigative Reporter

RELATED LINKS:

• WA confined hundreds for sexual violence. Then it quietly began releasing them. - Seattle Times
• The island where WA has confined hundreds for sexual violence: What to know - Seattle Times

What that means for these patients, and the general public, depends on who you ask.

Here to shed some light and help make sense of things is Seattle Times investigative reporter Rebecca Moss.

GUEST: Rebecca Moss - Seattle Times Investigative Reporter

RELATED LINKS:

• WA confined hundreds for sexual violence. Then it quietly began releasing them. - Seattle Times
• The island where WA has confined hundreds for sexual violence: What to know - Seattle Times