Two Sides Skirmish Over Sex Offender Program

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Attorneys for the residents of Minnesota's sex offender treatment program are arguing that the program doesn't work and is unconstitutional.

Attorney Dan Gustafson says the treatment program is a failure because no one ever gets out. Of 700 people in the program, only one has been provisionally discharged.

Gustafson says if the state is denying a person's freedom, the person should get treatment — but he says the treatment isn't working.

Nate Brennaman, an attorney for the state, said the program is constitutional. And he said the state is providing treatment that meets accepted standards. He says the state law doesn't require it to succeed.

U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank is expected to rule on various motions within 60 days.

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