MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

DONOVAN W. FRANK, District Judge.

INTRODUCTION

This matter is before the Court on its June 2, 2014 Order to Show Cause (Doc. No. 468), Plaintiffs' Motion for Declaratory Judgment and to Immediately Discharge E.T. from Civil Commitment (Doc. No. 469), and Plaintiffs' Motion to Immediately Transfer R.B. to an Appropriate Treatment Facility (Doc. No. 478). For the reasons set forth below, the Court denies Plaintiffs' motions without prejudice but expedites this class action case for trial.

BACKGROUND1

Plaintiffs filed this class action case on behalf of all individuals civilly committed to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program ("MSOP"), raising several challenges to MSOP and the Minnesota statutes governing civil commitment and treatment of sex offenders, Chapter 253B (recodified as Chapter 253D). (See Doc. No. 1, Compl.; Doc. No. 301, Am. Compl.) On July 24, 2012, the Court certified a class in this matter pursuant to Rule 23(b)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, consisting of "[a]ll patients currently civilly committed" to MSOP (together, "Plaintiffs" or the "class members"). (Doc. No. 203 at 11.)

The Court's Order to Show Cause and Plaintiffs' two motions referenced above were prompted by the work of the court-appointed Rule 706 experts, specifically two interim reports produced by the Rule 706 experts relating to class members Eric Terhaar and Rhonda Bailey.

As the record reflects, after various motions were filed in this matter, on October 25, 2013, the Court "acknowledge[d] the need for experts in this case in order to fully and properly litigate the claims at issue," granted Plaintiffs' request to the extent it sought the appointment of expert witnesses pursuant to Rule 706 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, and requested nominations for such experts from the parties. (Doc. No. 354 at 3, 4.) On December 6, 2013, the Court appointed four experts pursuant to Rule 706. (Doc. No. 393 at ¶ 2.) These four experts were jointly nominated by the parties. (Id.) The Court's December 6, 2013 Order generally described the duties of the experts and stated that the Court expected "the experts to confer as soon as possible and to suggest a methodology, areas of concentration, and division of labor, together with an expedited timetable for submission of their findings to the Court." (Id. ¶¶ 4, 9.) Thereafter, the parties submitted their respective proposals with regard to the work of the experts, and on January 22, 2014, the Court met with the experts. (See Doc. No. 421.) On February 5, 2014, the Court received the experts' proposed plan of action, in which the experts proposed, among other things, to conduct initial chart reviews to "get an understanding of what is happening in the program so that it may be evaluated, not to make comments about an individual resident's risk or treatment progress." (Doc. No. 422.)

At that time, a motion to dismiss and motions by Plaintiffs requesting various forms of injunctive and declaratory relief were pending. On February 19, 2014, the Court ruled on the motions, and in doing so, pointed out that this case involves alleged systemic problems with MSOP and the systematic application of commitment statutes to the class members, and further stated that specific discovery may enlighten the Court on the issues before it. (Doc. No. 427 at 20 ("If, with the benefit of discovery (including reports by the Court-appointed experts), Plaintiffs are able to demonstrate that the commitment statutes are systematically applied in such a way as to indefinitely commit individual class members who are no longer dangerous, or that MSOP is administered as a punitive system despite its statutory treatment purpose, Plaintiffs will likely prove up their claims.").) The evidence before the Court included both the March 2011 Evaluation Report on the Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders by the Office of the Legislative Auditor for the State of Minnesota ("OLA") (Office of the Legislative Auditor, State of Minnesota, Evaluation Report: Civil Commitment of Sex Offenders (2011) ("OLA Report"), available at http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/ped/pedrep/ccso.pdf), and the Sex Offender Civil Commitment Advisory Task Force's (the "Task Force") final recommendations dated December 2, 2013. (Sex Offender Commitment Advisory Task Force, Final Report (2013) ("Task Force Report"), available at https://edocs.dhs.state.mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-6641B-ENG.) Both reports indicate there may be systemic problems with MSOP and its application of the commitment statutes. For example, the Task Force Report states that "[t]here is broad consensus that the current system of civil commitment of sex offenders in Minnesota captures too many people and keeps many of them too long" (Task Force Report at 1), and makes several recommendations. (See Task Force Report at 5-16.) The Task Force also states that "[u]nder current law all offenders committed to MSOP are presumptively placed in the highest level of security. The result is that some offenders, while meeting the criteria for commitment, may be needlessly confined in the most secure facilities, when both public safety and the need for effective treatment might be better served in a less restrictive environment"; and "[t]he need for continued commitment and the propriety of placement must be reviewed on a regular basis, without demand or request by the committed individual." (Id. at 3.) The summary of the findings of the OLA includes that: "Minnesota's population of civilly committed sex offenders has grown significantly in the last decade and is the highest in the nation on a per capita basis" (OLA Report at x); "[t]he costs of civil commitment in MSOP are high relative to incarceration and other alternatives"2 (id.); "[t]here is considerable variation in commitment practices, particularly among prosecutors" (id. at xi); "Minnesota lacks reasonable alternatives to commitment at a high security facility" (id.); "[w]ith the large influx of commitments since 2003, MSOP has struggled to provide adequate treatment and maintain a therapeutic environment, particularly at its Moose Lake facility" (id. at xii); and "[n]o civilly committed sex offender has ever been discharged from MSOP" (id.). The OLA Report also notes that "Minnesota has a release standard for offenders who are civilly committed that, in practice, is stricter than other states. MSOP does not support any discharges without completion of the treatment program. Most states explicitly allow for discharges if an offender no longer meets the commitment criteria." (OLA Report at xii.)

The Court therefore contemplated that the work of the Court-appointed experts would help the Court determine whether there are such systemic problems. (Doc. No. 427 at 20.) Accordingly, the Court more specifically set forth what the Rule 706 experts' work should include — at a minimum — so that information relevant to such determination would be available to the Court. (Id. at 70-74.) For example, the Court ordered that the experts' work would include:

(Doc. No. 427 at 71-72.) In addition, expanding on what the Rule 706 experts had proposed, the Court asked the experts to:

(Doc. No. 427 at 70-71.) The Court explained that "independent risk assessments and treatment recommendations for each of the class members [would] ultimately be necessary in order for the Court to comprehensively evaluate Plaintiffs' claims, including whether the commitment statutes, as applied, and whether MSOP, as implemented, pass constitutional muster." (Doc. No. 427 at 47-48.)

The Court ordered that the experts begin their work by "[r]eviewing MSOP treatment and screening program/process"; "[c]onducting site visits to St. Peter and Moose Lake and interviewing patients and staff at each facility"; "[r]eviewing 20% to 25% of resident charts, with the aim of reviewing 100% of charts for those individuals in the Assisted Living Unit, the Alternative Program Units, and the Young Adult Unit"; and "[i]dentifying residents who are not receiving appropriate services and making recommendations related thereto." (Doc. No. 427 at 72.) With respect to the chart reviews, the Court ordered the experts to prioritize their evaluations of those individuals residing in the Young Adult Unit, the Assisted Living Unit, and the Alternative Program Units. (Id. at 70 n. 54, 72.)

Prioritizing the evaluations of these individuals, for the purpose of identifying potential bellwether issues, was supported by both the OLA and the Task Force Reports. The OLA Report states, for example, that:

The OLA Report includes the following recommendations:

Also, in its final recommendations, the Task Force states the following:

(Task Force Report at 3-4.) The Task Force also states that "[n]o person should be civilly committed based solely on behavior that occurred while that person was a juvenile." (Id. at 4.)

In commencing their work pursuant to the Court's February 20, 2014 Order, the Rule 706 experts toured the MSOP facilities, began interviewing patients and staff at each facility, and began their review of case files. After learning of Terhaar's and Bailey's situations, and after reviewing Terhaar's and Bailey's files, the Rule 706 experts agreed that Terhaar's and Bailey's cases should be brought to the Court's attention (consistent with the February 20, 2014 Order).4 (See Doc. No. 427 at 72 ("The experts' work shall begin with, but will in no way be limited to, the following:... iv. Identifying residents who are not receiving appropriate services and making recommendations related thereto.").) After raising their concerns with respect to Terhaar and Bailey specifically, and identifying those individuals as being in need of immediate court action, the Rule 706 experts volunteered to draft interim written reports on Terhaar and Bailey, explaining their findings and conclusions to the Court and respective counsel. Upon receipt, the interim reports were promptly provided simultaneously to the parties by the Court's Technical Adviser.5

In their report dated May 18, 2014, the Rule 706 experts provide a summary and discharge recommendation for Terhaar. (Doc. No. 468, Ex. 1.) The experts explain that Terhaar has "no adult criminal history" and was 19 years old when committed to MSOP. (Id. at 1.) According to the experts, Terhaar's commitment to MSOP "was as a result of behavior that he engaged in between the ages of 10 and 14." (Id.) Terhaar's file also apparently makes reference to incidents that occurred while he was in juvenile placement facilities, and for which no charges were filed against him. (See id. at 1-2.) The experts opine that it "is likely" that Terhaar's "history of general delinquency," including "fighting, running away," and "engaging in rule violating behaviors," contributed to his commitment to MSOP. (Id. at 2.) In their report, the experts ultimately conclude that:

(Id. at 4.) The experts further identify a family member with whom Terhaar would be welcome to live and work upon discharge. (Id.) Additionally, the experts state that Terhaar "has been medication compliant since arriving at MSOP." (Id. at 2.) They also note that "[i]t appears that Mr. Terhaar completed treatment related to his sexual offending history prior to placement at MSOP" and that "[i]t is unlikely that he requires additional intervention in this regard." (Id.)

In support of their conclusions, the experts discuss Terhaar's pertinent history and treatment participation at MSOP. (Id. at 2-3.) The experts also highlight risk assessment processes for juveniles and state the following:

(Id. at 3.)6

In a report dated June 4, 2014, the Rule 706 experts provide a summary and recommendation for transfer or provisional discharge for Rhonda Bailey, the only woman civilly committed to MSOP. (Doc. No. 481, Gustafson Decl. ¶ 3, Ex. A.) Bailey has been committed since 1993, and since 2008, she has been housed on the St. Peter campus of MSOP as the only female on a unit of all male high risk sexual offenders.7 (Id. at 1.) As it stands, she "attends sex offender treatment and other programming and activities in groups in which she is the only female." (Id.)

According to the experts, Bailey's "sexual offending is no doubt in reaction to the severe emotional, physical, psychological, and sexual abuse she experienced as a child, adolescent, and young adult." (Id. at 6.) The experts explain Bailey's "chaotic and extremely traumatic upbringing," including that she was physically and sexually abused by several of her male family members beginning at the age of five or six. (Id. at 1.) While at MSOP, the experts point out that Bailey has been consistently diagnosed with multiple paraphilias. (Id. at 3.) She has also been "diagnosed with Intellectual Disability (previously diagnosed as Mild Mental Retardation),... has a full scale IQ of 66," and "has a long history of depression dating to age seven or eight." (Id.) The experts also acknowledge the difficulties that Bailey presents, including that "[s]he has poor boundaries with peers and with staff," she has been "viewed by various staff as `predatory' relative to sexual contact with `vulnerable' male and female adult patients in shared secure treatment settings," "[s]he engages in sexualized and aggressive interactions with her peers and staff, including sexually assaulting other adult clients by engaging in oral sex and intercourse while at MHS and sexually grabbing or touching peers at MSOP." (Id. at 4.)

The experts note, however, that:

(Id. at 2.) The experts also note that "[t]hroughout her records, and in our interview, [Bailey] reported symptoms consistent with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but only recently has this diagnosis been explored by the MSOP psychiatrist." (Id. at 4.) In addition, they state that "[t]here is no evidence to suggest that there has been any consultation or incorporation of specialized sexual offender treatment for females, or references that procedures supported by contemporary research and practice have been implemented." (Id. at 5.) The experts also met with then MSOP psychiatrist Dr. Beth Johnson, who reported that Bailey was "a `delight' to work with and that she believed that she was not properly treated for her trauma." (Id.)

The experts state that "[r]esearch suggests that the risk factors and protective factors we know to be related to male sexual offenders may not be relevant to female sexual offenders," and opine that "the treatment program (and [Bailey's] attendance with male sexual offenders) is not adequately addressing her issues or criminogenic needs." (Id. at 5-6.) In support, the experts highlight the risk assessment differences between men and women:

(Id. at 7.) The experts also note that "the standard across programs, including civil commitment programs like MSOP, is to separate men and women in the environment and in treatment."8 (Id.) The experts state that:

(Id.) The experts also opine that Bailey "would greatly benefit from trauma-specific and gender-specific assessment and treatment designed to address her history of sexual victimization and the losses she has experienced ..., in addition to opportunities for gender sensitive socialization," and that "[s]he may benefit from EMDR and/or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as specific interventions for addressing PTSD or other trauma symptoms and emotion regulation and self-injurious behavior, respectively." (Id. at 6.) While they agree that Bailey "remains at high risk for future sexually inappropriate conduct," and that "the risk she poses continues to require management and supervision," they have "grave concerns ... regarding the means by which Ms. Bailey's clinical presentation and risk are currently being addressed and managed." (Id.)

Ultimately, the Rule 706 experts conclude that "Ms. Bailey's current housing and treatment scenario is unprecedented in contemporary sexual offender treatment and management; even more so in regard to sexual offender civil commitment." (Id. at 7.) They have "exceptionally grave concerns that Ms. Bailey is being housed and treated in a facility built for men and populated by men."9 (Id.) They, as a unanimous group, opine that "if appropriate treatment was provided in a non-all-male setting, and she was correctly medicated, Ms. Bailey may be able to be managed in a less secure setting." (Id. at 6.) The experts opine that she "is quite inappropriately placed at the MSOP St. Peter site," and they "believe strongly that she should be relocated to a facility where she can receive care and treatment that is sensitive to both her gender and her clinical presentation." (Id. at 8.) In addition, they opine that "[c]ontinued placement at MSOP is iatrogenic to Ms. Bailey, in that this placement likely exacerbates, rather than ameliorates, the issues that influence her inappropriate sexual behavior." (Id.) They unanimously recommend that Bailey be transferred or provisionally discharged from MSOP "to a supervised treatment setting that can meet her special needs for treatment (e.g., sexual offending, personal victimization, trauma, mental health maintenance) that is gender responsive, trauma informed, and that provides for socialization opportunities and relationship development with other women." (Id. at 1.) They also recommend that "it would be ideal if the alternate setting could provide gender-specific sexual offender treatment either individually or in group, but not with male sexual offenders. (Id.)

In light of the interim report with respect to Terhaar, as well as the Court's prior order on Defendants' motion to dismiss and Plaintiffs' requests for injunctive and declaratory relief (Doc. No. 427), on June 2, 2014, the Court ordered Defendants to show cause why Terhaar's continued confinement is not unconstitutional and why Terhaar should not be immediately and unconditionally discharged from MSOP, as unanimously recommended by the Rule 706 experts. (Doc. No. 468.) On June 4, 2014, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Declaratory Judgment and to Immediately Discharge E.T. from Civil Commitment. (Doc. No. 469.) Then, upon receipt of the experts' report on Bailey, Plaintiffs filed a Motion to Immediately Transfer R.B. to an Appropriate Treatment Facility. (Doc. No. 478.) Plaintiffs' counsel also filed separate habeas petitions on behalf of Terhaar and Bailey seeking Terhaar's immediate and unconditional discharge from MSOP and Bailey's immediate transfer "from MSOP to a structured, supervised residential facility where she can begin to address her issues in a more appropriate and clinically relevant environment[.]" (Civil No. 14-2002, Doc. No. 1; Civil No. 14-2362, Doc. No. 1.)

At some point after receiving the Rule 706 experts' report on Terhaar, MSOP's internal licensed psychologists Anne Pascucci and Lauren Herbert jointly prepared a Sexual Violence Risk Assessment Report, which issued on June 10, 2014. (Doc. No. 486, Johnston Aff. ¶ 7, at Ex. 2.) Pascucci and Herbert concluded that Terhaar does not meet the statutory requirements for being unconditionally discharged from MSOP. (Id. at 21.) Terhaar's Treatment Team also produced a report dated June 10, 2014, which concludes that "[p]lacement in a setting outside the secure perimeter, similar to Community Preparation Services, that maintains adequate structure and supervision while providing opportunities for gradual reintegration to society would be appropriate." (Doc. No. 486, Johnston Aff. ¶ 6, Ex. 1 at 9.)

After the Court's Order to Show Cause, the Commissioner requested that independent licensed psychologist Amanda Powers-Sawyer evaluate Terhaar and provide an opinion on his suitability for discharge from commitment. (Doc. No. 485 at 16.) Dr. Powers-Sawyer issued a report dated June 10, 2014, concluding that:

(Doc. No. 486, Johnston Aff. ¶ 8, Ex. 3 at 12-13.)

On June 10, 2014, MSOP Executive Director Nancy Johnston petitioned for Terhaar's transfer to Community Preparation Service ("CPS"), a highly supervised, unlocked facility within MSOP that is designed to provide clients in the advanced stages of treatment the opportunity to prepare for successful reintegration into the community. (See Doc. No. 486, Johnston Aff. ¶ 9, Ex. 4; Doc. No. 385, Hébert Aff. ¶ 44.)10 Johnston later testified that she petitioned the SRB in response to the Rule 706 experts' report. (Doc. No. 570 ("July 15 Tr.") at 307-08.) She explained that the petition for Terhaar was unusual and that it was not normal for MSOP to support a petition for someone in Phase I to be moved to CPS; in fact, this was the only request for reduction in custody of this kind that she was aware of. (Id. at 312, 324-25.) Johnston also testified that she "do[es] not disagree" with the Rule 706 experts' opinion that Terhaar is a low risk to sexually re-offend. (Id. at 336.)

On June 11, 2014, the day after Johnston petitioned for Terhaar's transfer to CPS, Pascucci and Herbert issued a Sexual Violence Risk Assessment Addendum, in which they additionally opined that Terhaar does not meet the statutory requirements for a reduction in custody to transfer to CPS, thus taking a position contrary to MSOP Executive Director Johnson. (Doc. No. 491, Brennaman Supp. Aff. ¶ 2, Ex. A.)

The Court held a Show Cause hearing and a hearing on Plaintiffs' motions on June 25, 2014, wherein counsel for both sides argued their respective positions. (Doc. No. 549.) Defendants maintained that Terhaar "is still a danger to the public, he is still in need of inpatient treatment and supervision, and is not yet capable of making an acceptable adjustment to open society." (Doc. No. 485 at 1.) Therefore, they oppose unconditional discharge for Terhaar at this time. (Id. at 2.) Defendants asked the Court to allow the Minnesota statutory process for reduction in custody and discharge from commitment to be followed and requested the opportunity to explore the basis of the Rule 706 experts' report in an evidentiary hearing. (Doc. No. 485 at 3.) Consistent with the Court's remarks from the bench, the Court set an evidentiary hearing for July 14-15, 2014, to allow the parties to explore the basis of the reports and affidavits filed on Terhaar and Bailey and to present other evidence relating to the experts' reports. (Doc. Nos. 516, 550.)

On July 14-15, 2014, the Court held the evidentiary hearing and it received testimony from the Rule 706 experts and Executive Director Nancy Johnston, and received exhibits into evidence. (Doc. Nos. 557, 558, 559.)11

DISCUSSION

Motions Regarding Eric Terhaar

On June 4, 2014 — two days after the Court ordered Defendants to show cause why Terhaar's continued confinement is not unconstitutional and why Terhaar should not be immediately and unconditionally discharged from MSOP — Plaintiffs renewed their motion for a declaratory judgment to the extent that they assert that Minn. Stat. § 253D is unconstitutional as applied because it does not contain a requirement for any automatic independent review of an individual's need to be civilly committed.12 (Doc. No. 470 at 2.) Specifically, Plaintiffs requested in their new motion an order requiring "(1) Defendants to immediately develop, and by June 1, 2015, implement, a policy providing for automatic and independent annual reviews of each Class member to determine the need for continued commitment, and; (2) the immediate discharge of Mr. Terhaar from his civil commitment." (Id. at 3.) At the hearings, however, Plaintiffs' counsel clarified that he was only requesting a declaratory judgment at this time stating that Terhaar's continued detention at MSOP is unconstitutional and that he would reserve his arguments for a broader declaratory judgment request that would affect other class members at a later time. (July 15 Tr. at 354-56.) Plaintiffs' counsel also indicated that he was now only seeking a declaration of unconstitutionality and that he was not seeking an order requiring immediate discharge of Terhaar since it was his belief that such relief could only be granted through the habeas petition. (Id. at 354-55.) Regardless of how Plaintiffs' have limited their declaratory request, Defendants have opposed Plaintiffs' motion asserting various arguments for why declaratory relief is inappropriate and have argued that they have properly responded to the Court's Show Cause Order. (See generally Doc. Nos. 485, 509.)

The Declaratory Judgment Act provides in pertinent part that "[i]n a case of actual controversy within its jurisdiction,... any court of the United States, upon the filing of an appropriate pleading, may declare the rights and other legal relations of any interested party seeking such declaration, whether or not further relief is or could be sought." 28 U.S.C. § 2201(a). However, it is well-settled "that district courts possess discretion in determining whether and when to entertain an action under the Declaratory Judgment Act, even when the suit otherwise satisfies subject matter jurisdictional prerequisites." Wilton v. Seven Falls Co., 515 U.S. 277, 282, 115 S.Ct. 2137, 132 L.Ed.2d 214 (1995); see also, e.g., Provident Tradesmens Bank & Trust Co. v. Patterson, 390 U.S. 102, 126, 88 S.Ct. 733, 19 L.Ed.2d 936 (1968) (affirming that the exercise of the power to grant declaratory judgments is discretionary); Brillhart v. Excess Ins. Co., 316 U.S. 491, 494, 62 S.Ct. 1173, 86 L.Ed. 1620 (1942). The Supreme Court has explained that "[s]ince its inception, the Declaratory Judgment Act has been understood to confer on federal courts unique and substantial discretion in deciding whether to declare the rights of litigants," and the Court has "repeatedly characterized the Declaratory Judgment Act as an enabling Act, which confers a discretion on the courts rather than an absolute right upon the litigant." Wilton, 515 U.S. at 286-87, 115 S.Ct. 2137 (internal quotations omitted). "By the Declaratory Judgment Act, Congress sought to place a remedial arrow in the district court's quiver; it created an opportunity, rather than a duty, to grant a new form of relief to qualifying litigants." Id. at 288, 115 S.Ct. 2137.

Plaintiffs argue that, "[b]ased on the findings of the Rule 706 experts, who unanimously found that Mr. Terhaar is not a dangerous sexual offender and does not pose a significant risk to public safety, Mr. Terhaar no longer meets the constitutionally required criteria for civil commitment and his ongoing commitment violates his fundamental due process right to liberty." (Doc. No. 470 at 17.) With respect to the duration of a civil commitment, "the Constitution permits the Government ... to confine [an individual] to a mental institution until such time as he has regained his sanity or is no longer a danger to himself or society." Jones v. United States, 463 U.S. 354, 370, 103 S.Ct. 3043, 77 L.Ed.2d 694 (1983). Thus, as the Supreme Court held in Foucha, when a civilly committed person is no longer dangerous, he must be released. See Foucha v. Louisiana, 504 U.S. 71, 77-78, 112 S.Ct. 1780, 118 L.Ed.2d 437 (1992).13 The continued confinement of a person who is not dangerous and in need of further treatment renders the confinement not reasonably related to the stated purpose for the commitment. See Kansas v. Hendricks, 521 U.S. 346, 357, 117 S.Ct. 2072, 138 L.Ed.2d 501 (1997) (citing Foucha, 504 U.S. at 80, 112 S.Ct. 1780). "Even if the initial commitment was permissible," a civil commitment may not "constitutionally continue after that basis no longer exist[s]." Foucha, 504 U.S. at 77, 112 S.Ct. 1780 (citing O'Connor v. Donaldson, 422 U.S. 563, 565, 95 S.Ct. 2486, 45 L.Ed.2d 396 (1975)). By that reasoning, an individual who no longer meets the criteria for commitment should be entitled to release.

The court-appointed Rule 706 experts, who are unquestionably experienced in the field of sex offender civil commitment and treatment and who did a complete review of Terhaar's treatment file, which includes risk assessments and treatment information, unanimously agreed that it is unlikely that Terhaar requires further treatment at the MSOP and that "there is little evidence to suggest that Mr. Terhaar is a dangerous sexual offender who poses a significant risk to public safety." (Doc. No. 468, Ex. 1 at 2, 4.) Their testimony confirms the same. (July 14 Tr. at 63, 99, 179; July 15 Tr. at 198, 221, 248-50.) The experts specifically recommend that Terhaar "should be unconditionally discharged from MSOP." (Doc. No. 468, Ex. 1 at 4; July 14 Tr. at 63.) In addition, as her report reflects, independent licensed psychologist Amanda Powers-Sawyer agrees with the Rule 706 experts' conclusions. (Doc. No. 486, Johnston Aff. ¶ 8, Ex. 3.) However, although not called to testify at the July 14-15, 2014 hearing,14 the record does reflect that MSOP's internal licensed psychologists Anne Pascucci and Lauren Herbert jointly prepared a Sexual Violence Risk Assessment Report, in which they concluded that Terhaar does not meet the statutory requirements for being unconditionally discharged from MSOP. (Doc. No. 486, Johnston Aff. ¶ 7, Ex. 2 at 21.) But, at the hearing, MSOP Executive Director Johnston testified that she did not disagree with the experts who said that Terhaar was low risk for sexual reoffending, and she petitioned for his movement to CPS. (July 15 Tr. at 336.)

Although the evidence in the record thus far relating to Terhaar's confinement is quite compelling in his favor, the Court is reminded that the case pending before the Court is a Rule 23(b)(2) class-action case in which broad-based relief on behalf of the entire class is sought.15 At present, liability has not yet been determined and the record has not yet been fully developed to support a declaration of unconstitutionality as to the commitment statutes' application to the presently defined class. While a district court has some discretion to order individual relief in a Rule 23(b)(2) class action, such individual determinations should be "incidental to class-wide issues." Marshall v. Kirkland, 602 F.2d 1282, 1295 (8th Cir.1979). Usually this means that, in appropriate cases, a district court may "conduct additional proceedings after the liability phase of the trial to determine the scope of individual relief." Id. at 1296 (emphasis added) (quoting Int'l Brotherhood of Teamsters v. United States, 431 U.S. 324, 361, 97 S.Ct. 1843, 52 L.Ed.2d 396 (1977)).

In addition, a court may render a declaratory judgment "(1) when the judgment will serve a useful purpose in clarifying and settling the legal relations in issue, and (2) when it will terminate and afford relief from the uncertainty, insecurity, and controversy giving rise to the proceedings." Alsager v. Dist. Ct. of Polk Cnty., Iowa (Juvenile Div.), 518 F.2d 1160, 1163-64 (8th Cir.1975) (quoting E. Borchard, Declaratory Judgments, 299 (2d ed. 1941)). Here, issuing a declaration that Terhaar's confinement is unconstitutional would not afford relief to the defined class, nor would it clarify or settle the issue of whether there are systemic problems with MSOP and its application of the commitment statutes.16 Under these circumstances, the issuance of the requested declaratory judgment would not serve the Act's intended purpose. Further, by granting Plaintiffs' declaratory judgment motion with respect to Terhaar, the Court would not be providing "a comprehensive solution of the general conflict." Hypro, Inc. v. Seeger-Wanner Corp., 292 F.Supp. 342, 344 (D.Minn. 1968) (stating that when determining whether to dismiss or stay a declaratory judgment action which is potentially cumulative of other litigation, "a court should seek to determine which of the two actions will serve best the needs of the parties by providing a comprehensive solution of the general conflict"); see also id. at 345 (stating that factors to be considered are "of judicial economy, informal comity between courts, cost and convenience to the litigants, and the possibility of vexatious conflict and overlap of multiple determinations of the same dispute"). In other words, the Court declines to exercise its discretion to grant specific relief to Terhaar at this time based on his individualized risk assessment because declaring his confinement unconstitutional would not "generate common answers apt to drive the resolution of this litigation." Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes, ___ U.S. ___, 131 S.Ct. 2541, 2551, 180 L.Ed.2d 374 (2011) (quotations omitted).

Another reason why the Court declines to enter a declaration at this time is because it appears that an expedited petition for reduction of custody process is underway. MSOP is supporting a petition for Terhaar's reduction in custody to CPS. If, after Terhaar is transferred to CPS, the Executive Director files a petition supporting Terhaar's unconditional discharge from MSOP, presumably an adequate remedy would be had. In other words, a determination by the SCAP approving Terhaar's discharge would make unnecessary a declaratory judgment as to the constitutionality of Terhaar's confinement.17 In addition, Plaintiffs' counsel has indicated that he may be initiating a state habeas action on behalf of Terhaar as well. "The existence of another adequate remedy does not preclude a declaratory judgment that is otherwise appropriate." Fed.R.Civ.P. 57. However, "a court, `in the exercise of the discretion that it always has in determining whether to give a declaratory judgment, may properly refuse declaratory relief if the alternative remedy is better or more effective.'" Angora Enters., Inc. v. Condo. Ass'n of Lakeside Vill., Inc., 796 F.2d 384, 387-88 (11th Cir.1986) (quoting 10A C. Wright, A. Miller & M. Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure 2d § 2758); accord MacMillan-Bloedel, Inc. v. Firemen's Ins. Co. of Newark, 558 F.Supp. 596, 599 (S.D.Ala.1983) ("Where another remedy would be a more effective or appropriate remedy, the court may properly decline to assume jurisdiction."); see also Cunningham Bros. v. Bail, 407 F.2d 1165, 1168 (7th Cir.1969) (concluding that more effective relief was obtainable by other procedures); New York Life Ins. Co. v. Roe, 102 F.2d 28, 31 (8th Cir.1939) (denying declaratory relief where traditional remedy was available). The pendency of Terhaar's current petition, and MSOP's affirmance that it will support a future, expedited petition for discharge, does present a more effective and efficient forum for the resolution of Terhaar's particular situation. Cf. United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co. v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc., 21 F.3d 259, 263-64 (8th Cir.1994) (concluding district court did not abuse its discretion in deciding to abstain from declaratory judgment action when parallel state-court action was pending); Travelers Indem. Co. v. Winmill, 294 F.Supp. 394, 397 (D.Minn.1968) ("The problem [of determining whether to exercise a court's declaratory judgment discretion] should be appraised in the light of common sense, having regard to federal-state relations, comity between courts of concurrent jurisdiction, the potentials of the respective systems for expert and comprehensive solution, and factors such as cost and convenience to the public as well as to the parties."). If MSOP was not in agreement to expedite this matter, and if the state process itself was not proceeding expeditiously with respect to moving Terhaar along, then this Court might be deciding this issue differently. Therefore, in the event that Terhaar's petitions are not expedited, the Court will not hesitate to either set a firm time limit or take up Terhaar's relief petition immediately after trial, which itself will be expedited as explained further below. Accordingly, the Court declines to exercise its discretion in issuing a declaration at this time and denies Plaintiffs' motion for declaratory judgment without prejudice.

Motion Regarding Rhonda Bailey

After receipt of the Rule 706 experts' report on Rhonda Bailey, Plaintiffs' counsel filed a "Motion to Immediately Transfer R.B. to an Appropriate Treatment Facility." (Doc. No. 478.) This motion was later amended to clarify that Plaintiffs are requesting through this motion an order "declaring that Rhonda Bailey is being held in an unconstitutional manner[.]" (Doc. No. 578 at 2.) Plaintiffs' motion raises two primary issues. First, whether it is constitutional for Defendants to not provide a less restrictive alternative for Bailey's confinement. As alleged in the Second Amended Complaint, "[t]he only MSOP facilities are the secure treatment locations at Moose Lake and St. Peter," and "MSOP does not provide for any less restrictive alternatives to confinement at Moose Lake or St. Peter, such as halfway houses or other less secure facilities." (Doc. No. 301, Second Am. Compl. ¶ 68.) And second, Plaintiffs' motion raises the issue of whether the treatment provided to Bailey is so inadequate that it violates her constitutional rights.18

In response to Plaintiffs' motion, Defendants assert that they believe the Department has provided Bailey with appropriate sex-offender treatment and care while at MSOP. (Doc. No. 495 at 1.) At the same time, however, Defendants also represent that they are "willing to make improvements to [Bailey's] care and treatment based on the Rule 706 Experts Report, and ha[ve] reached out to experts in the field of female sex-offender treatment to find ways to provide better treatment and care to [Bailey] in her current placement," and they are "willing to explore options to transfer [Bailey] to another facility."19 (Id. at 1-2) They note that they do not believe that there are "suitable transfer options at this time that meet both [Bailey's] treatment and safety needs." (Id. at 2.)

The Rule 706 experts testified that if they were asked to, and if the State provided sufficient funds, they could create or find a residential and treatment situation for Bailey that would satisfy their professional opinion of what is needed for her. (July 14 Tr. at 107-08, 132, 141.) And counsel for Defendants reiterated their "willingness to have a conversation ... about different placement for Ms. Bailey," and stated that they continued to reach out to various experts on female sex offender treatment. (July 15 Tr. at 367-68.) After the hearings, counsel for both parties have continued to talk about reaching an agreement on the proper placement and treatment for Bailey, and Defendants' counsel has notified the Court that they are, in fact, consulting with experts in the field of female sex offender treatment as to what would be the most appropriate placement and treatment for Bailey. In light of these pending discussions, and the likelihood that an agreement on Bailey's transfer (or provisional discharge) would moot Plaintiffs' pending motion with regard to Bailey, the Court denies the motion at this time without prejudice (and stays Bailey's habeas case) to allow the parties an opportunity to find a just resolution that would appropriately meet Bailey's individual residential and treatment needs. If an agreement is not reached in a timely manner, the Court will, like with Terhaar, take up Bailey's relief petition immediately after trial.

CONCLUSION

Although Defendants were responsive to the experts' discovery of the fact that a juvenile offender like Terhaar was being held indefinitely at MSOP despite, in the experts' opinion, his lack of dangerousness or need for sex offender treatment, this does not explain how this troubling state of affairs came about. It is obvious that but for this litigation, Terhaar, who was stuck with hundreds of other persons in Phase I of MSOP, would likely have languished for years in the prison-like environment of MSOP-Moose Lake without any realistic hope of gaining his freedom.20 And of course it is of great concern to the Court that this may not be an aberrant case of system failure but is symptomatic of a larger systemic problem of constitutional concern. This concern is heightened by the experts' opinion about the grossly inadequate — even shocking — treatment of Bailey, the lone female sex offender in the otherwise all male MSOP. The Court also is mindful of the fact that Defendants have not presented their own evidence at trial to defend the constitutionality of MSOP, and the Court is keenly aware of its responsibility not to prejudge the merits of this class action. But the Court is obligated pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to expedite the trial on the merits and allow a full record on the important constitutional issues affecting this certified class to be developed. See 11A Charles Alan Wright, Arthur R. Miller & Mary Kay Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2950 (3d ed. 2014) ("It long has been recognized that an accelerated trial on the merits often is appropriate when a preliminary injunction has been requested.[] If a Rule 65(a) injunction is ... denied, a quick disposition of the merits shortens the period in which plaintiff may be threatened by irreparable harm. In either situation the urgency that is characteristic of cases involving preliminary-injunction applications makes a rapid determination of the merits especially important.") Therefore, counsel for the parties are required to attend the scheduling conference set for August 21, 2014, with 2014 trial dates in mind.

While the Court will exercise its discretion to decline entering any declaratory judgment at this time, it will, if necessary, "conduct additional proceedings after the liability phase of the trial to determine the scope of individual relief." Marshall, 602 F.2d at 1296 (quotations omitted). And it will do so promptly. The Court recognizes that while some injunctive relief may ultimately be awarded to both the class and individual members of the class, ultimate release from the detention at the MSOP may be required through habeas or procedures that may be mandated under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Civil rights actions such as this one are an appropriate vehicle for challenges to civil commitment statutes, and declaratory and prospective injunctive reliefs are available in such cases.21 Yet, by both expediting the trial, and by allowing the state petitioning process to go forward (on an expedited track as has been requested by the parties), relief through habeas may ultimately be mooted. Federal habeas, however, may be necessary if either the relief is not mooted or if the State does not proceed with speed. It may also be that, apart from habeas, declaratory and prospective injunctive relief may be granted regarding the constitutionality of the Minnesota sex offender commitment statutes on their face or as applied. Because of the various tracks underway that will directly address relief for Terhaar and Bailey, the Court now stays the federal habeas cases (Civ. No. 14-2002 (DWF/JJK) and Civ. No. 14-2362 (DWF/JJK)), so as not to interfere with the class-action trial and state processes. The Court will lift the stay in those federal habeas cases later if needed to provide adequate remedies for Terhaar or Bailey.

ORDER

Based upon the foregoing, and the files, records, and proceedings herein, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

1. Plaintiff's Motion for Declaratory Judgment and to Immediately Discharge E.T. from Civil Commitment (Doc. No. [469]) is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE;

2. Plaintiffs' Motion for the Creation of an Aftercare Plan for E.T. Pursuant to Minn.Stat. § 253D.35 (Doc. No. [526]) is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE;

3. Plaintiffs' Amended Motion for Declaratory Judgment and to Immediately Transfer R.B. to an Appropriate Treatment Facility (Doc. No. [578]) is DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE;

4. Eric Terhaar's federal habeas case (Civ. No. 14-2002 (DWF/JJK)) is STAYED;

5. Rhonda Bailey's federal habeas case (Civ. No. 14-2362 (DWF/JJK)) is STAYED;

6. The parties shall meet with the Court on August 21, 2014, as previously scheduled (see Doc. No. 566), to discuss moving the trial date in this case to a date in 2014.