ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Human Services has set aside $1.8 million for the possible costs of a court-ordered evaluation of the state sex-offender program.
U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank last month told a panel of experts to review the program to test whether it passes U.S. constitutional muster.
Frank said he could rule the program unconstitutional if those experts find that the program actually provides no treatment for patients, provides no way for them to graduate and houses them in prison-like conditions.
The program has about 700 patients, the highest number of civilly committed sex offenders per capita among 20 states with such programs. Officials have released only two patients during the program’s two-decade existence.
Evaluation costs could go higher. Gov. Mark Dayton’s supplemental budget sets aside $3 million.
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