Delays in Implementation of Prison Reform Spark Outcry Against Department of Corrections and State Legislature

​In recent weeks, activists and concerned citizens have been protesting the dire conditions at Stillwater prison in Minnesota, highlighting a shortage of corrections officers as the primary issue. They claim that a solution exists, and it could be enacted "immediately" through a newly passed state law.

The Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act, which allows prisoners convicted of most crimes to be released after serving half of their sentence, was supposed to be a beacon of hope. However, it went into effect on August 1, but it now appears that it won't be fully implemented until 2025, according to Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell.

Schnell, responding to activists' calls for immediate action, acknowledged that the law represents a long-term solution. However, he pointed out that a team is actively working on various options to address more immediate challenges, and the Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act is not on the priority list at this time.

David Boehnke from the Twin Cities Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee has been vocal about what he calls a "staffing crisis" in every prison in Minnesota. He argues that Commissioner Schnell already has the authority to release low-risk individuals, a power that could be exercised immediately.

According to Department of Corrections records, 1,197 adult offenders are currently at the Stillwater facility. Boehnke cited the Home for Good campaign, which claims that around 1,300 prisoners statewide "may" already have earned their good time but remain incarcerated.

Commissioner Schnell questioned the basis for this assertion, emphasizing that his team is still working on assessing the number of eligible offenders for earned release.

Minnesota Representative Jamie Becker-Finn, the primary author of the Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act, acknowledges the need for reform but admits she hasn't seen specific numbers regarding those who might qualify for early release.

The law mandates that early release must be earned through individualized rehabilitation plans. Commissioner Schnell testified during the legislative process that it would take 18 to 24 months to implement this new earned release process, effectively delaying any significant impact until 2025.

While Schnell emphasizes the Act's focus on addressing the needs of incarcerated individuals and reducing risks, critics argue that immediate action is required to alleviate the dire situation in Minnesota's prisons.

Representative Becker-Finn, recognizing the need for a fundamental overhaul of the correctional system, has been in discussions with the Department of Corrections to explore ways to expedite the implementation, including phasing in earned release.

Commissioner Schnell, while open to faster implementation, refuses to make promises he can't deliver. This delay is particularly frustrating to those who hoped the law would lead to tangible change in the system.

It's important to note that individuals convicted of certain violent crimes, such as homicide and criminal sexual conduct, are not eligible for earned release under the new law.

In conclusion, the delay in implementing the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act has drawn criticism from activists, who see it as a missed opportunity to address urgent issues in the state's prison system. While lawmakers and the Department of Corrections emphasize the need for careful planning, the voices demanding immediate action continue to grow louder.