Supreme Court: Feds Can Hold Sex Offenders Indefinitely

The Supreme Court says federal officials can indefinitely hold inmates considered "sexually dangerous" after their prison terms are complete. The high court today reversed a lower court decision that said Congress overstepped its authority in allowing indefinite detentions of those considered sexually dangerous.

The challenge was brought by four men who served prison terms ranging from three to eight years for possession of child pornography or sexual abuse of a minor. Their confinement was supposed to end more than two years ago, but prison officials said there would be a risk of sexually violent conduct or child molestation if they were released. (More US Supreme Court stories.)