By Mike Kaszuba

Minnesota's legislative auditor will study the state's troubled sex offender program, and among other things probe whether the program has been effectively managed.

The study is expected to be completed early next year.

A Legislative Audit Commission panel on Friday voted to have legislative auditor evaluate the program, which has been at the center of several controversies over the past year. A background paper, used as part of the selection process, said that program costs in 2008 and 2009 "were significantly over budget", and that "legislators have had longstanding concerns about the cost-effectiveness" of the program.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty and DFL legislators squabbled over the program again this month, arguing over whether a proposed $89 million building expansion should be included in a state bonding bill. The final bonding bill included $47.5 million for the expansion, but many legislators complained that the program needed a thorough evaluation.

The program uses civil commitments to keep convicted sex offenders from being released into society after they have completed their prison terms. State officials said that the number of patients in the program is expected to nearly double in the next seven years, and have acknowledged that the program has had little success returning patients into society.

The legislative auditor will also study whether the program offers "adequate treatment with reasonable opportunities for progression through treatment and discharge", and how Minnesota's use of civil commitments compares to other states.