Governor Dayton – Fixes to Sex Offender Program Could Be Costly

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says fixing the state's program for confining sex offenders may be costly.

The governor and an array of Minnesota officials met privately Monday to discuss potential changes to the program with the federal judge who declared it unconstitutional. More than 700 offenders are held indefinitely in secure treatment hospitals because they're deemed a threat to reoffend.

Dayton said no decisions were made after meeting with Judge Donovan Frank. He says one possible fix is creating an evaluation system with new facilities to house lower-risk patients who need extra medical care. He says it may cost more than $20 million annually.

Monday's conference relates to a lawsuit brought by offenders who've been committed to the program by a court. Frank is pushing for a voluntary resolution.