MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin appeals court says sex offenders who are being civilly committed for treatment do not qualify for the minimum wage.
     Offenders held at the Wisconsin Resource Center filed a lawsuit after the acting warden slashed their pay in 2007 from the minimum wage at the time, $6.50 per hour, to as little as $2 per hour. The offenders perform labor around the center as part of their treatment.
     They argued they should qualify for the minimum wage because they are employees and not inmates since they have already served their prison terms.
     The District 2 Court of Appeals rejected their argument on Wednesday. The court says the patients “do not need the minimum wage to protect their well being” since they are cared for by the state.