Indiana Sex Offender Treatment Program Unconstitutional

Indiana’s Sex Offender Management and Monitoring program violates the Fifth Amendment, the Seventh Circuit said April 25.

The program improperly compels self-incrimination by prisoner participants, the opinion by Chief Judge Diane P. Wood said.

All Indiana inmates convicted of sex crimes must participate in the program. When they enter prison, they are assessed and placed in one of three groups depending on their answers to questionnaires about their offenses.

Inmates are told they don’t enjoy immunity or confidentiality for any disclosures made while in the program, but they must answer all questions fully and in detail.

Inmates who refuse to ...