Sexually violent predator (SVP) commitment refers to the postsentence civil confinement of certain high-risk sex offenders. As of 2016, 20 states and the District of Columbia have implemented legislation that permits the civil commitment of persons adjudicated SVPs. Although the primary purpose of SVP commitment is community protection by manner of the detainment of high-risk offenders, SVP treatment facilities also offer mental health treatment that aims to rehabilitate the offenders in anticipation of their eventual return to the community. The procedures for SVP civil commitment vary across jurisdictions; however, there are three basic criteria that are consistent across most states. These criteria are discussed in turn below.