The Free Press, Mankato, MN

News Ticker

Local News

December 4, 2012

Panel looks to change sex offender rules

Associated Press

— A special panel tasked with looking at alternatives to Minnesota's costly, high-security program for dangerous sex offenders recommended state legislators consider less restrictive regional treatment facilities.

The Minnesota Sex Offender Program confines and treats the most dangerous offenders under the court's direction after they have finished their prison sentences. The offenders, which now number more than 600, are confined to high-security treatment facilities at an annual cost of about $120,000 per offender.

A task force headed by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson looked at how to reduce costs for treating the dangerous sex offenders while protecting the public and not stomping on the offenders' constitutional rights.

Chief U.S. Magistrate Arthur Boylan ordered the state to create the task force of jurists, lawmakers and other professionals to find options to the current, prison-like treatment centers.

Republican Rep. Jim Abeler, a task force member, said that in the coming months, legislators will have to deal with the emotionally charged issue.

"Showing kindness to sex offenders is not something people like to do," Abeler said. "The challenge that's going to come at the end of the day is where do you put these people? It's going to have to be in Minnesota somewhere."

The Star Tribune (http://bit.ly/YKxBik ) said Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson plans to meet with lawmakers in the coming weeks to discuss the recommendations.

Jesson said she does not foresee an end to the current high-security treatment program.

"The problem with civil commitment is it's all or nothing," said Jesson. "You're either in this expensive high-security facility or you are not. I think that is a quandary."

The task force recommendations issued Monday said the Legislature must fund less-restrictive residential facilities and locate them throughout the state, while clearing any regulatory or legal obstacles and ensuring public safety.

___

Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Pay dispute exposes county-prosecutor rift

    Arneson memos often critical of administrator, board pay

    May 18, 2013

  • mfp storm chasers Storm chasers go looking for trouble Call them crazy. They won't mind. They understand that running into a storm might not be everyone's idea of a good time. And when tornado sirens sound -- and authorities are advising people to take cover -- they accept that it wouldn't be inappropria

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • mfp Street rods2 Minnesota Street Rod Assocation takes Land of Memories Park back to the 50s The Minnesota Street Rod Association brought Mankato's Land of Memories Park back to the '50s with a spring campout.

    May 18, 2013 4 Photos

  • Father, son injured in crash MANKATO -- A Mankato father and his 8-year-old son were hospitalized after their Toyota Camry collided with a Freightliner semi on Highway 22 north of Mankato Saturday morning. Lord W. Baji, 47, was in fair condition and Uwumborge Baji, 8, was in goo

    May 18, 2013

  • What's Read on the Web 1. Gay marriage hits home for minister This summer, Lisa Coons hopes to be on both sides of a same-sex marriage -- officiating and participating. The Mankatoan plans to wed her partner of 25 years and, as an ordained non-denominational minister, is e

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp-cadets pic 51913 Two Mankato area Civil Air Patrol cadets receive Mitchell award MANKATO -- Lt. Col. Mathew Wiskow, Minnesota Wing's Group 4 commander, presented certificates and ribbons to two cadets during a ceremony May 9 at the Mankato Regional Airport. Cadets Hunter Brindley and Tanner Johnson of the Minnesota Wing's Mankato

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • AgStar awards county fair grants MANKATO -- The AgStar Fund for Rural America, the corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, recently awarded $69,000 in grants through its county fair facility upgrade grant program, $24,000 more than last year. Area organizations recei

    May 19, 2013

  • Frac sand movie to be shown Monday MANKATO -- A screening of a documentary about the frac sand mining boom in Minnesota and Wisconsin will be held Monday afternoon in the Blue Earth County Library auditorium. The Mankato Area Environmentalists and the Center for Earth Spirituality are

    May 19, 2013

  • St. Peter Police Calls Theft of flag, sign St. Peter responded to a call about 6:40 a.m. May 13 reporting a flag pole and sign had been stolen from a residence's yard at 203 Front St. The flag was later returned, but the "We Support Our Troops" sign was not. Theft of gasol

    May 19, 2013

  • Racing calendar RUNNING May May 27 MANKATO — 10Kato. 10K run, 2-mile run/walk. www.vinevolunteers.com/events/10k-kato-run June June 1 ST. PETER — Livestock Colordash. 5K. livestockmn.com/5k/ June 8 WATERVILLE — Sakatah Challenge. 10K, 5K, 5K walk, 11-mile bike,

    May 19, 2013