Intro: 20181205_Terry_Allen_mm082

Terry Allen was arrested for an alleged sexual assault in 1982. Rather than facing a criminal trial, he was civilly committed for treatment in a state prison. He’s been incarcerated for 36 years without a criminal conviction or release date. Civilly committed inmates at Big Muddy River Correctional Center live like prisoners convicted of felonies, but they have no release dates. Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

Terry Allen was arrested for an alleged sexual assault in 1982. Rather than facing a criminal trial, he was civilly committed for treatment in a state prison. He’s been incarcerated for 36 years without a criminal conviction or release date. Civilly committed inmates at Big Muddy River Correctional Center live like prisoners convicted of felonies, but they have no release dates. Manuel Martinez/WBEZ