Court: Prisoner can't be punished for refusing treatment program

The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled Monday that the corrections department violated the constitutional rights of a prisoner when it punished him for refusing to take part in a treatment program.

Ricky James Bedell refused to take part in a chemical dependency program in October because he would be required to talk about the crime that got him locked up, according to the 10-page opinion. At the time, Bedell was appealing a felony assault conviction from Chisago County.

A corrections official added 45 days to Bedell's sentence after he refused to sign the entry agreement into the program.

Bedell's participation in the treatment program could have jeopardized his Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination, attorney Bradford Colbert said. "Most of the things that happen during treatment would be admissible in a criminal trial."

According to the court opinion, the director of the program said information revealed in treatment is confidential unless the offense discussed pertains to sex with minors or vulnerable adults.

Bedell will get the extra 45 days removed from his sentence, Colbert said.