Minnesota Department of Corrections’ Post

WDIO featured MCF-Willow River Challenge Incarceration Program participants helping the community. Click the link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gzQ4e5xd

Secretary of State Steve Simon visits Lino Lakes correctional facility. Read more about the visit at the following link: https://lnkd.in/eb_uNyg4

Incarcerated individuals in Minnesota participated in the competition to select the winner of the 2024 Inside Literary Prize: Imani Perry, author of South To America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation, is this year’s literary prize recipient. The award is sponsored by Freedom Reads, in partnership with the National Book Foundation and the Center For Justice Innovation.   Earlier this year, panels at MCF-Faribault and MCF-Shakopee engaged in a book review process that helped to select the first major national book award judged entirely by incarcerated people. A new podcast features an in-depth look at the judging process at Minnesota’s women’s prison. Listen at the following link: https://lnkd.in/eapm9knT

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon visited MCF-Togo and MCF-Willow River Thursday, August 1, to speak to incarcerated individuals in the Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP) about voting rights. Simon spoke about the Restore the Vote Act, passed during the 2023 legislative session, that restores the voting rights of people on probation and people released from prison serving supervised release in the community. Before the law change, formerly incarcerated people were unable to vote until supervision/parole were completed and all fines paid. For more information: https://lnkd.in/gkdmG87G

Save the Date! Join us on October 18th in Minneapolis for an event called Beyond the Bars: Partnering with Girls for Meaningful Justice Reform. The theme is A Justice Reform Action Plan for Girls, which will focus on a community-based female and culturally responsive continuum of services to prevent girls from entering the juvenile justice system in the first place. More information about the conference, including how to register, will be shared on our social media accounts soon!

When natural disasters strike, participants in the Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP) at Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Togo step up to help communities in need. The Town of Cook, Minn., was recently overwhelmed by the devastating impacts of damaging winds, hail, rain, and flood waters. Many homes and businesses were damaged from the severe weather, and the community needed help recovering from historic flood levels. As is often the case with communities impacted by storm damage, MCF-Togo jumped into action to support the people of northern Minnesota. CIP work crews spent multiple days helping with cleanup and restoration efforts. MCF-Togo coordinated with the American Red Cross and Cook Lions Club to relocate a relief center. The crews also cleared debris from Veterans Riverfront Park and were complimented by many members of the community. The CIP work crew also helped at the flood damaged Cook library by removing the oak bookcases to help the restoration process move forward. One of the CIP participants said, “It felt really good to be seen for doing good work as a person and not as a criminal.” When Minnesotans call for help, MCF-Togo and CIP participants will continue to answer the call to support communities in need.

Today, we honor our fallen brother Joseph Gomm who gave his life in service to our state on July 18, 2018. It is the sixth anniversary of Gomm’s passing. Joe will be remembered as a kind soul and a good friend who did his job with honor. Thank you to Joe for your service and thank you to our corrections officers and staff who serve our state with honor every day. End of Watch 7/18/2018. We will never forget.

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The Department of Corrections employs individuals in a wide variety of positions, entry level to experienced, including: Corrections Officers, Supervision Agents, Therapists, Nurses, Teachers, Maintenance/Skilled Trades, Clerical, Food Service, and more! Contact our recruiters to learn more about our rewarding career opportunities: https://lnkd.in/eU9Xtrp2

Take the opportunity to have your voice heard by participating in our second survey related to the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act (MRRA). This survey is focused on collecting feedback from those who participated in or have since viewed the public MRRA Town Hall presentation on June 10. Take the survey at this link: https://lnkd.in/gyE7UYUP