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: For example, late last year, Republican gubernatorial candidates criticized Gov. Mark Dayton over the proposed transfer of six men from the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter to a less restrictive facility in Cambridge. Those plans were ultimately suspended. Can a federal judge simply release someone from the program? There’s some disagreement about what power the federal court has to release Terhaar — or any other offender from the program. Dan Gustafson, the attorney representing clients in MSOP, said the court could declare Terhaar’s confinement unconstitutional, which would force the state’s hand in petitioning for his release. Nathan Brennaman, an attorney for the state, however, believes the court only has the authority to grant injunctive relief and call on the state to make system-wide changes to the program. Could the lawsuit lead to someone dangerous getting out of MSOP? Not likely. As the experts testified in court last week, the people they are looking to release are those that are particularly vulnerable or unlikely to offend. That includes offenders with only no adult criminal history, the elderly (MSOP has clients as old as 92) and developmentally disabled clients who may struggle with treatment.