Over the past decade, the number of both juveniles and adults on probation has increased substantially, consequently, the increased pressure on the county probation system and county budgets. In 1995, the legislature recognized this problem, and substantially increased funding for probation caseload reduction. However, increases in funding since that time have not kept pace with the increase in total program costs. Added to the problem of high caseloads are increased costs for probation officers salaries and benefits, along with additional training needs for specialized caseloads such as the growing sex offender population that requires more intensive supervision and programming costs. The MICA Board of Directors recommends the Legislature broaden the use of the monies appropriated for enhanced supervision of sex offenders to include expenditures for treatment.
Treatment plays an integral role in the rehabilitation of ex-sex offenders.
Thus, counties need the latitude to spend the additional monies that were appropriated on both supervision and treatment. The MICA Board of Directors recommends that the state fund uncompensated medical care provided to residents of county adult and juvenile correctional facilities. The cost of providing medical care to residents of county correctional facilities is a major component of the total expense of operation of those facilities and one that is inappropriately paid through the local property tax. Minnesota is continuing its efforts to maximize federal revenue. Civil Commitment of Sexual Psychopaths The MICA Board of Directors recommends that the state provide 100 percent of the funding for all costs and functions relating to civil action while detaining sexual psychopaths who have completed their prison terms and are awaiting permanent placement.