US EditionMinnesota Senators Demand Transparency in Stillwater Prison Closure
Inmates must limit belongings to two bins amid phased closure, with digital storage cut from 50MB to 20MB, raising risks of losing legal and educational materials, advocates say.
- The Minnesota Department of Corrections announced the phased closure of Stillwater prison starting in May 2024, with inmates being transferred to other facilities.
- The closure stems from the prison's deteriorating infrastructure and budget decisions made by Governor Walz and Commissioner Paul Schnell, who confirmed the plan in May 2024.
- As of July 25, Stillwater's population dropped from 1,120 to 802 inmates moved mainly to Oak Park Heights, Lino Lakes, Rush City, Faribault, and Moose Lake without input from inmates.
- The Department of Corrections lowered the amount of digital data inmates can store on their devices from 50MB down to 20MB and intends to remove documents that remain unused for over a year, a move that advocates warn could lead to the loss of critical legal files.
- Republican senators demanded public hearings on the closure's fast timeline in August 2024, reflecting concerns about transparency and the impact on inmates’ legal rights amid ongoing transfers.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
17 Articles
17 Articles
As Stillwater prison closes, advocates say inmates’ legal documents at risk - Albert Lea Tribune
By Cait Kelley, Minnesota Public Radio News Prison reform advocates say they’re concerned that in the closing of Stillwater prison, inmates could lose important belongings, including legal documents, because the storage allotted is too limited. The Minnesota correctional facility is experiencing a phased closure and inmates are already being transferred. Inmates have to pare down their belongings to fit in two bins before they’re transferred — w…
As Stillwater prison closes, advocates say inmates’ legal documents at risk
As inmates are transferred out of Stillwater prison, advocates say they are forced to choose between packing personal items and educational and legal documents. The corrections department disputes this is a widespread problem.
·Saint Paul, United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left1Leaning Right9Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Right
Bias Distribution
- 64% of the sources lean Right
64% Right
C 29%
R 64%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
