Federal court in Minnesota creates deradicalization program

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal court in Minnesota has created a program to assess the risks posed by terrorism defendants and come up with plans to deradicalize them so they don't engage in similar activities again.

U.S. District Judge Michael Davis, who has handled Minnesota's recent terrorism cases, said Wednesday the program is the first of its kind in the country.

Prosecutors have described the men as friends who recruited and inspired each other to join the Islamic State group.

Karen Greenberg, director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law School, said defense attorneys and law enforcement officials will be watching and the plan could become a model for others.

"There is a tremendous hunger across the nation for something as an alternative to just harsh measures meted out by law enforcement," she said.

[...] Davis ordered Yusuf back into custody after a box cutter was found under his bed.