Report: Minn. sex offender program needs space
Published 2:36 pm Tuesday, January 18, 2011
ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s sex offender program may need money for an emergency expansion this year as treatment beds fill up.
A new report from Minnesota Sex Offender Program officials recommends a $7 million overhaul of a security hospital building in St. Peter to add 55 beds.
It says construction dollars would need approval this year to avoid running out of space. Existing facilities in Moose Lake and St. Peter are projected to reach capacity by early 2013.
Program spokeswoman Bonnie Martin says Gov. Mark Dayton will decide whether to include the request in his bonding proposal later this month.
Senate Capital Investment Committee Chairman Dave Senjem (SEN’-jem) says the sex offender request would get a closer look from his panel.
The program treats sex offenders committed by courts after serving prison time.
