A pair of men considered to be sexually violent predators were ordered released on parole from a state hospital by two San Diego Superior Court judges on Thursday, despite the men having there are no permanent residences available to them.

The rulings come after years of legal battles and unsuccessful searches for qualified permanent residency, an issue that has plagued the release program for sex offenders who have served prison terms but have been diagnosed with mental disorders, classifying them as sexually violent predators.

The program allows sexually violent predators, or SVPs, to be released from mental institutions after undergoing treatment in permanent residences that meet certain criteria — such as being within a certain distance of schools. Those released remain monitored and supervised.

On Thursday, Alvin Ray Quarles — dubbed the rapist “bolder than most” — and Merle Wakefield, both convicted of rape, were released as transients, meaning they will live in temporary housing, possibly in multiple locations, until a home permanent can be located.

Monitoring and surveillance will continue, with both judges ordering the men to be under 24-hour guard until permanent housing is found.

During Wakefield’s hearing Thursday morning, Judge Yvonne Campos pointed out that he was granted a release in 2020 but remained at Coalinga State Hospital while Liberty Healthcare, which oversees SVP releases, unsuccessfully sought a permanent home.

According to a report cited by Campos, Liberty conducted more than 6,000 property searches.

“Wakefield is owed his qualified freedom,” Campos said, noting that previous judges had already ruled that Wakefield should be released.