Smuggling probed, visits canceled at Coalinga hospital

Smuggling probed, visits canceled at Coalinga hospital
The Associated Press
Article Launched: 03/03/2008 01:27:19 PM PST
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COALINGA, Calif.—State officials say they are banning relatives from visiting a state hospital that treats sex offenders while police investigate reports of smuggling.
A spokeswoman for Coalinga State Hospital says visitation was canceled from Friday through Monday so hospital police could look into claims that visitors were smuggling drugs, electronics and possible weapons into the facility.
The state Department of Mental Health houses sexually violent predators in Coalinga after they finish their prison sentences under a procedure called civil detainment, in which criminals can be held indefinitely after completing their sentences if they're still considered a threat.
A group of relatives protesting outside the hospital Sunday said they feared visitation was denied to punish detainees.