NCJ Number
200998
Date Published
2001
Length
47 pages
Annotation
This report presents research findings concerning how to best manage the relatively small population of high-risk sex offenders in Minnesota.
Abstract
During Minnesota’s 2000 legislative session, the Department of Corrections (DOC), in collaboration with the supreme court, the attorney general’s office, the department of human services (DHS), and the sentencing guidelines commission, was directed to research and report on sex offender issues. A work group was convened and a study of seven other States was undertaken in an attempt to learn how these States manage their sex offender population. The seven States were selected because they either used civil commitment or some form of a board for managing their sex offender population. The results of this study revealed that Minnesota already had in place systems for addressing most sex offender issues and, as such, the work group recommended against the development of a formal sex offender policy and management oversight board. In lieu of a formal policy and management oversight board, the work group recommended that the DOC and DHS develop a report providing information about all aspects of the sex offender management system. Other recommendations include the development of a satellite program focusing on the treatment of high-risk sex offenders, the development of a shared database to track the activities of the population and the treatment outcomes, and the passage of legislation designed to require sex offenders to be evaluated prior to sentencing. This report also includes the results of the DOC and DHS collaboration on high-risk sex offenders and their future work plan. A summary of survey findings from county attorneys and judges is also offered, with the results mainly speaking to their views about sex offender sentencing and treatment options. Results of a study on 115 civilly committed sex offenders are also summarized, including information about why some offenders are referred for civil commitment and others are not, and the outcomes of civil commitment. Appendix A presents Minnesota Laws 2000, Chapter 359, which became effective April 2000. Appendix B contains a list of those individuals on the work group. Appendix C presents a comparison of how seven States manage sex offenders, and Appendix D presents the Minnesota sentencing guidelines report.