[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Federal judge rules that Minnesota’s sex offender treatment program unconstitutional[/title][fusion_text]Thursday, June 18th 2015
A federal judge ruled Wednesday that Minnesota’s sex offender treatment program is unconstitutional, saying it violates the “fundamental rights” of more than 700 people locked up indefinitely after completing their prison sentences. U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank sided with patients who were civilly committed to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, and argued that they had little hope for freedom. In more than 20 years of existence, no one has been fully discharged from the program, even those thought to be at low risk of committing new crimes. Frank deferred immediate action, instead urging political leaders to bring proposed remedies to proceedings in August or he could impose his own. The judge suggested at least a dozen remedies the state could propose, including the creation of alternate less restrictive facilities. The state argued that the plaintiffs hadn’t proven any constitutional violations, and defended the quality of the program. It also argued that it was up to the Legislature, not the court, to rewrite the law.
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