Supreme Court blocks release of sex offenders

But is it fair?  The order by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court means up to 77 inmates in prisons in North Carolina will have to stay there for a while.

Chief Justice John Roberts granted the Obama Administrations request which means the issue must be decided by the US Supreme Court.

According to the Justice Department, some of those 77 inmates could have been released as early as next week.

The administration claims many of them are sexually dangerous and should be held while the issue works its way through the federal appeals court.

Recently, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled congress crossed the line when it enacted a law allowing for indefinite commitment of sex offenders.

The question is, should the government have the power to put you in prison indefinitely just because you could pose a future threat?

Four men who served prison terms for possession of child pornography and sexual abuse of a minor say no.

They were supposed to get out two years ago but the government determined they still pose a threat.

Civil commitment was authorized by an act signed by President Bush called the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.

The act also established the national sex offender registry.