JAMESTOWN - The growing sex offender program at the North Dakota State Hospital needs more money for beds and staff, the superintendent says.

State Hospital Superintendent Alex Schweitzer gave a report Monday to the State Hospital Governing Board.

Twenty-five sex offenders are housed on hospital grounds, 19 of whom have been committed, Schweitzer said. Others are being evaluated or awaiting evaluation.

The number of beds occupied by sex offenders has grown by five in just the past four months, Schweitzer said.

The hospital's two-year budget request will include about $2 million to maintain 32 beds and about $600,000 for 10 more beds, Schweitzer said. The program will require seven more workers, he said.

"The cash flow (for the hospital) is not good because of increases in the sex offender program, $2 million cut by the (2003) Legislature and lower than expected reimbursement," Schweitzer said.

The State Hospital's overall population also continues to grow, he said. Most of the increase is in first-time patients, a high percentage of whom are drug users, he said. Many of the patients do not have insurance to cover their treatment.

The hospital admitted 165 first-time patients from May 1 to Nov. 1, with 44 percent diagnosed with drug abuse problems. Schweitzer said the 30-day readmission rate is between 5 percent and 6 percent for this fiscal year, compared to a regional average of 9 percent and a national average of 8.5 percent.

A candidate to replace retired medical director Dr. Alan Broadhead changed his mind about coming to the State Hospital, Schweitzer said. Dr. William Pryatel will remain as interim medical director and the position will be advertised again this spring, he said.