According to the Associated Press the Supreme Court has ruled that federal officials can indefinitely hold inmates considered “sexually dangerous” after their prison terms are complete. The Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision that said Congress overstepped its authority in allowing indefinite detentions of offenders considered “sexually dangerous.”

What this means is that last year’s ruling of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., ruling that Congress overstepped its authority when it enacted a law allowing the government to hold indefinitely people who are considered “sexually dangerous.” The high court has concluded that the Constitution grants Congress legislative power sufficient to enact this law.

This ruling targeted the 2006 Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. This authorized the civil commitment of sexually dangerous federal inmates. The act was named after the son of “America’s Most Wanted” television host John Walsh. However, the act was challenged 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. Now these low-life sex predators can be held indefinitely.

Finally, any State laws allowing civil commitments or indenfinite detentions of sex offenders can be enforced.