Minnesota Supreme Court ruling could speed up release process for State's Sex Offender Program

(St. Paul, MN) -- The Minnesota Supreme Court is ruling that civilly committed people must be transferred to a community program within a reasonable amount of time after the request is made.

The decision was settled on Wednesday. According to court documents, the Minnesota Commitment Appeals Panel ordered two patients in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program to be transferred to Community Preparation Services.

The two patients in the case claim the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services and the Executive Director of the MSOP violated their due process rights by delaying transfer to CPS for over two years following transfer orders.

The MSOP is for those who are considered sexually dangerous -- not necessarily criminals.

While residing in CPS, the Minnesota Department of Human Services says patients progress through three levels to gradually reintroduce the patient to community activities, and address de-institutionalization.