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: 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. Republicans and Democrats butted heads over a solution, and without buy-in from both parties during at contentious election season, the Democrats who control the House didn’t want to expose themselves to campaign attacks over releasing sex offenders. Why is the issue so political? It probably goes without saying that sex offenders are a highly stigmatized group, and the release of an offender into a new community — even under intense supervision — brings up issues of public safety. And while it’s up to the Supreme Court Appeal Panel to grant releases to offenders, the Department of Human Services can oppose any release. Because DHS is overseen by a commissioner appointed by the governor, it would be easy to pin any movement of an offender on a political administration.