The head of the state's treatment program for sexual psychopaths has announced he's leaving his position

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The head of the state's treatment program for sexual psychopaths has announced he's leaving his position in September. Dr. Michael Farnsworth also oversees mental health evaluations and criminal commitments for patients who commit non-sex-related crimes. But a recent controversy about moving sex offenders from state hospitals to less restrictive settings thrust him into the spotlight. The plan called for eventually moving some patients into the community under state supervision. Following some criticism when talks of releasing offenders became public, Governor Pawlenty issued an executive order barring any release without a court order. Farnsworth is stepping down to start a private forensic psychiatry consultation business which will allow him more direct contact with patients. He says that there was no political pressure to leave his position.

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