Title: The Minnesota Sex Offender Program, explained | MinnPost
Headings: The Minnesota Sex Offender Program, explained
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The Minnesota Sex Offender Program, explained
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Briana Bierschbach

Content: 52 MSOP clients who have never been charged as adults as sex offenders. Terhaar’s offenses — which include the rape of his sister when he was 10 — all occurred before the age of 15. When the expert panel reviewed Terhaar’s case, it recommended him for unconditional release, saying he’s not a danger to the public. They also said people like Terhaar should never have been committed to MSOP alongside serial rapists and child molesters. Not only should the treatment of juvenile offenses be different from an adult’s treatment, they say, but juveniles’ likelihood of re-offending as an adult is much lower. Frank is expected to make a ruling on his case, and that of the only woman locked in MSOP, Rhonda Bailey, in the next few weeks. Can’t the Legislature do something to fix the situation? The state Senate passed a bill in 2013 that would have put only the most dangerous offenders in the program, while others would be placed in a less restricted environment. It also established a two-step hearing process that would determine if commitment is needed and, if necessary, the terms of that commitment. But the proposal stalled last session in the state House, where all 134 members are up for re-election this fall.