Stillwater prison in Minnesota experienced a protest on Sunday as about 100 inmates refused to return to their cells. The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) issued an emergency lockdown, which was later resolved without any reported injuries. The DOC attributed the dissatisfaction among inmates to modified cell release schedules over the holiday weekend. However, activists claimed that a lack of access to clean water and the hot weather were major factors in the protest. The DOC denied these claims and stated that the inmates’ concerns were unfounded.
During a recorded phone call on Sunday, an inmate at Stillwater Correctional Facility discussed the conditions inside the prison. He mentioned the extreme heat, absence of air conditioning, lack of water, and limited showers. The inmate asserted that they had been mostly locked in their cells for the past few months, leading to their decision to stage a peaceful protest. Marvina Haynes from Minnesota Wrongfully Convicted Judicial Reform expressed her dismay, describing the situation as inhumane and worse than the treatment of animals.
Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, Paul Schnell, attributed the conditions to staffing concerns. He acknowledged that more staff would enable the prison to offer more programming and address the inmates’ concerns. Regarding the heat and lack of air conditioning, Schnell blamed the century-old facilities but emphasized that the well-being of both inmates and staff was important to the DOC. He also revealed that the prison was short 50 officers and inmate advocates were calling for the release of eligible individuals to reduce the prison population.
While Schnell dismissed the idea of releasing inmates without proper management, inmate advocates and organizations like the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee are urging the Department of Corrections to consider releasing those eligible for community programs. The DOC, on the other hand, plans to seek funding from the legislature to upgrade cooling systems and has been actively recruiting staff to meet the prison’s demands.
The AFSCME Council 5, a union representing corrections officers in Minnesota, attributed the lockdown to chronic understaffing at the Stillwater prison. They emphasized the importance of adequate security and offender programming for effective rehabilitation.
Currently, the prison holds 1,202 inmates. The facility, which was constructed in 1914, consists of seven living units and a minimum-security unit outside the main perimeter. The issues leading to the protest remain unresolved, and the DOC acknowledges the challenges they face in managing the situation.