US EditionAs Legislature approves closure of Stillwater prison, lawmaker calls for task force
- The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill to close the 111-year-old Stillwater prison in a phased plan over four years starting in 2025.
- The closure aims to reduce costs amid a projected multibillion-dollar state deficit, with the Department of Corrections citing safety issues and annual savings of $40 million.
- Stillwater prison currently houses about 1,200 inmates and employs over 500 staff, prompting Sen. Warren Limmer to call for a task force to address employee concerns and ensure no sentence reductions occur.
- Sen. Limmer warned that bureaucratic decisions should not shorten sentences, while Gov. Tim Walz confirmed the plan excludes early prisoner releases or changes to incarceration terms.
- The closure will proceed once Gov. Walz signs the bill and coincides with the Legislature's likely special session to finalize a two-year budget addressing a $6 billion shortfall.
18 Articles
18 Articles
'It was a shock to me': Stillwater guard details concerns about planned prison closure AlphaNews.org
Share This StoryEarlier this month, Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders rolled out the terms of the state’s new two-year budget agreement. Contained in the deal was a provision to close Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater, one of the state’s oldest prisons. Built in 1914, MCF-Stillwater holds nearly 1,500 male inmates and is one of three “close security” prisons in Minnesota. Of the prison security levels in Minnesota, close security is…
MN Legislature sends Stillwater prison closure to governor; key budget pieces remain
On its final weekend to pass bills, the Minnesota Legislature appeared on course for a special session to finish work on the next two-year state budget, as questions remain on whether a bipartisan deal announced last week will hold. The Minnesota Senate on Sunday night in a 34-33 vote passed a public safety bill that includes the closure of the 111-year-old state prison in Stillwater. It’s a key part of the budget deal that could save the state …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
