Virginia sex offenders climb roof to protest treatment

11-22-2011 Virginia:

RICHMOND, Va.—Authorities say two sex offenders climbed onto the roof of a psychiatric facility with nooses around their necks to protest conditions at the facility.

Their protest led to a standoff that lasted more than three hours Monday. It ended without incident when the men climbed down and shook hands with police and officials.

They had fashioned the nooses out of bedsheets.

State Police Sgt. Thomas Molnar says the men were not immediately arrested and were assessed by medical personnel.

Several offenders at the facility have complained privileges like outside recreation have been scaled back.

The nearly 300 offenders at the facility were sent there after finishing their prison sentences because the courts found they had a mental disorder that made them likely to offend again. ..Source.. by Dena Potter