Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater to Operate at Half Capacity by October 1
The Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater is set to operate at half its original capacity by October 1, according to the state Department of Corrections. This announcement was made during a remote hearing on September 25, where lawmakers were informed about the progress of the prison’s closure plans. The facility’s capacity will be reduced to 553, and as of this week, the population stands at 487 incarcerated persons.
Closure Plans and Transfers
The closure of the prison in Bayport was announced on May 15 as part of a budget deal between Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders. The decision was made due to concerns about the deteriorating facility and the high cost of upkeep. Since June 16, the Department of Corrections has transferred 2,017 inmates across the entire prison system, with 728 being transferred out of Stillwater and 244 being transferred in. The transferred inmates have been relocated to various facilities, including Rush City, Lino Lakes, Fairbault, Moose Lake, Oak Park Heights, St. Cloud, and Red Wing.
The Department of Corrections uses a “rubric” to prioritize the transfer of inmates, taking into account medical or mental health needs, treatment, and education needs. However, the location of an inmate’s family is not a primary consideration in the transfer process. According to Commissioner Paul Schnell, “We know the benefit and the effect of visiting, and … I just want to be really clear that while it is nice to have that metro facility, at the same time, we do not place strictly on the basis of where family is located.”
Staff and Prison Population
The prison currently employs 231 staff members, down from 567 at the end of the 2025 legislative session. However, 95% of the original staff members have been able to retain jobs within the Department of Corrections. The state’s total prison population stands at 8,206, which is a decrease from the peak population of nearly 11,000 in 2014. The current incarcerated population is considered “stable and manageable” by Commissioner Schnell.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the closure of the prison, citing a lack of public transparency and potential public safety issues. Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, stated that there were no public hearings regarding the closure during the 2025 legislative session, and many questions remain unanswered. On the other hand, Sen. Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, pointed out that the closure of Stillwater has been discussed for decades, and the deferred maintenance costs would have been too high to keep the facility open.
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