Paul Schnell: Commissioner

Paul Schnell became commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Corrections on January 7, 2019. He was appointed commissioner by Governor Tim Walz.

Commissioner Schnell brings more than 30 years of public safety and corrections experience to his position with the DOC. His wealth of knowledge in these fields is a great asset to the DOC.

While completing his Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of St. Thomas, Schnell began an internship supervising adult males in a St. Paul halfway house. This internship led to a 10-year stretch of work in a variety of community-based correctional programs in the Twin Cities. In 1993, Schnell moved from his position working with youth at Carver County Court Services to deputy sheriff for the Carver County Sheriff’s Office. In 1999, Schnell joined the Saint Paul Police Department where he served in a variety of assignments, including four years as the department’s spokesman. Over the past eight years, Schnell has served as Chief of Police for the cities of Hastings and Maplewood and was the Chief of Police for the City of Inver Grove Heights at the time of his appointment to the commissioner of the DOC.

Long interested in effective intervention and prevention practices, Schnell became an adjunct faculty member at the University of Saint Thomas and Metropolitan State University, teaching courses in criminal justice diversity, criminal justice ethics, restorative justice, and victimology.

In addition to a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of St. Thomas, Schnell holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University in St. Paul.

Connie Jones: Deputy Commissioner Client Services and Supports

Connie Jones was appointed as the Assistant Commissioner Agency Services and Supports on June 20, 2023, by Commissioner Paul Schnell. 

In this capacity, Connie oversees Capital Resources, Safety, Central Transport, Peer Support, Information Technology and Human Resources.  

Prior to her appointment as Assistant Commissioner, Jones started her career at MCF-Oak Park Heights, eventually moving into a role of Human Resources Director for both that facility and MCF-Stillwater. She spent 15 years with the Department of Corrections working her way up to the agency-wide Human Resources Director, before being tapped to lead HR for DHS in 2008. Connie has considerable experience with the unique challenges of work in government service, and, perhaps most importantly, she knows the critical importance of the work of DOC staff. 

Jones has a Bachelor of Science degree from Minnesota State and a Certificate from the Carlson School of Management for completion of the Leadership Black Belt Program.

Safia Khan: Deputy Commissioner Chief of Staff

Safia Khan was appointed Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff on June 20, 2023, by Commissioner Paul Schnell. 

In her role, she assists the Commissioner of Corrections in agency-wide management and policy making efforts and directs implementation of strategic priorities.  Khan oversees the work of various DOC units including Finance, Grants and Subsidies, Legislative Affairs, Policy and Rulemaking, Equity, Access, and Inclusion, Tribal Relations, Research, Planning, and Performance Measurement, and Project Management Center of Excellence. She has previously held the roles of Assistant Commissioner and Government and External Relations Director for the Department. 

Prior to joining the DOC, Khan was the Director of Policy and Programming for the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW), where she worked on public policy pertaining to gender-based violence within Minnesota’s criminal and legal justice systems.  She also conducted research for and authored MCBW’s annual Domestic Violence Homicide Report. 

Khan has led and collaborated on legislative and administrative policy at the local, state, and federal level.  Her efforts to advance public policy for victims in Minnesota earned her the Minnesota County Attorneys Association’s Public Service Award in 2017. 

Outside of her employment, Khan serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP), the largest national technical assistance provider and resource hub on domestic violence in the United States. 

Khan received her B.A. in Political Science from Denison University, where she was a fellow of the Richard G. Lugar Program in Politics and Public Service. She is fluent in Urdu and English.

Crystal Brakke: Deputy Assistant Commissioner Teaching and Learning

​Crystal Brakke is an experienced leader and public education advocate who started her career as a teacher in rural North Carolina and has stayed centered on working towards equity and excellence for students, particularly those who are historically marginalized, ever since. 

She most recently served as a vice president at Teach For America, where she founded the organization’s ombuds practice. She is a certified organizational ombuds practitioner and completed the Social Justice Mediation Institute. Prior to that, she also served as the executive director of Teach For America in Minnesota and as vice president of teacher preparation. 

Crystal was elected to the Richfield Public Schools board in November 2015 and appointed to the Intermediate District 287 board in January 2017. She has also served as board chair and executive committee member of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts. 

Crystal received her B.A. in History and American Studies at Colby College and M.Ed. in Education Policy and Management at Harvard University, where she received one of two Leadership in Education Awards. She also holds a Certificate in Education Finance from Georgetown University.

Paula Graff: Assistant Commissioner Agency Services and Supports

Paula A. Graff became the Assistant Commissioner of Corrections over Agency Services and Supports for the Minnesota Department of Corrections on July 22, 2024. Paula brings a wealth of experience and a robust background in human resources and labor relations, most recently serving as the Deputy Director of Human Resources/Labor Relations Manager at Washington County, MN.

In her role, Paula leads and oversees a variety of vital agency business and support functions, including human resources, IT, capital resource management and planning, employee development, sentence administration and records, victim services, and employee wellness and support. Her expertise is instrumental in improving organizational processes and ensuring that these functions are effectively aligned with the DOC’s mission to transform lives for a safer Minnesota.

Paula’s previous roles have equipped her with extensive experience in strategic planning, policy analysis, and managing high-profile initiatives, which are invaluable in her position. Her commitment to fostering a positive work environment and equitable culture makes her an excellent addition to the leadership team at the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Paula holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota, a Master's in Public Administration from Hamline University, and a Master's in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from the Carlson School of Management. She is currently a JD candidate at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, focusing on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Eddie Miles: Assistant Commissioner Facilities

Eddie Miles was appointed as one of the Assistant Commissioner Facilities on June 20, 2023.

Miles began his state service in 1992 as a corrections officer at MCF- Lino Lakes. In 1997, he became an investigator with the Office of Special Investigations, working at several facilities (Shakopee, Faribault, Oak Park Heights and Stillwater). Miles accepted a program director position at MCF-Stillwater in 2005 and went on to serve as associate warden of operations. He served as warden at MCF-Lino Lakes, MCF-Faribault, MCF-Stillwater and most recently at MCF-St. Cloud. 

He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and youth studies from the University of Minnesota.

Jami Doeden: Assistant Commissioner Facilities

Jami Doeden was appointed one of the Assistant Commissioner Facilities on June 20, 2023.

Doeden began his career at MCF-Oak Park Heights in 1997 as a Correctional Officer. He then worked at MCF-SCL and MCF-RC as a Correctional Officer before becoming a Sergeant. In 2007 he transferred to MCF-FRB as a lieutenant. While at Faribault Jami promoted to Corrections Program director and then to the Associate Warden of Operations.

He has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Minot State University.

Kelly Mitchell: Assistant Commissioner Community Services and Reentry

Kelly Lyn Mitchell  was appointed as Assistant Commissioner Community Services and Reentry on June 20, 2023. Mitchell has over 20 years of experience working with criminal justice issues in Minnesota. 

Mitchell was the Executive Director of the Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice from 2014 to 2023, where she served as a national expert on sentencing guidelines and led numerous research projects and policy initiatives related to sentencing, probation, and parole. Mitchell is the current Chair of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, having been appointed by Governor Walz in 2019. 

Mitchell also served as President of the National Association of Sentencing Commissions from 2014 to 2017 and as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission from 2011 to 2014. Mitchell spent a decade as a staff attorney and manager for the Minnesota Judicial Branch from 2001-2011, where she served as a legal advisor to trial court judges and court administrators, as the Branch’s liaison to other criminal justice agencies, and oversaw several statewide programs and services such as drug courts, the court interpreter program, and examiner services for sex offender civil commitment. 

Over the course of her career, Mitchell has held numerous appointments on committees and task forces addressing issues such as prison population control, probation supervision, sex offender management, and collateral consequences. 

She earned her J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law, and has a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

Jolene Rebertus: Assistant Commissioner Health, Recovery and Programming

Jolene Rebertus was appointed as Assistant Commissioner Health, Recovery and Programming on June 20, 2023.

Jolene Rebertus, MA, LPCC, LICSW, has been working for the MN Department of Corrections for the last 15 years. Over the course of her career at the MN DOC, Ms. Rebertus has worked as a Mental Health & Sex Offense Release Planner, Corrections Program Director, and Sr. Manager in the Health Services unit. As of most recent she has provided executive leadership, professional expertise, and department-wide oversite to the Health Services Release and Reintegration team. She has been responsible for policies and procedures regarding individuals releasing from MN state correctional facilities with mental health, medical, substance use, opioid use, and sex offense histories. She serves on numerous councils, committees, and projects throughout the state of Minnesota, including leading the MN DOC’s response to the opioid epidemic by implementing use of medications and harm reduction strategies, as well as the initiation of Certified Peer Recovery Support within facilities. Over the last twenty years she has provided mental health care to children, adults and families within community and correctional settings. She is a presenter, author and contributor on several topics and publications regarding correctional health care and reentry. 

Mike Garland: Inspector General

Mike Garland was appointed as Inspector General on  December 16, 2024.

Mikael Garland joined the Minnesota Department of Corrections in December 2024 as the Inspector General. Garland leads oversight and compliance activities for all DOC facilities, programs, and personnel. He also has direct oversight of the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA) Unit, the Inspection and Enforcement Unit (I&E), the Internal Audit Unit, and Title II ADA compliance activities. 

Garland has over 25 years of experience in the field of public safety. Prior to his role as Inspector General, he served as a Police Lieutenant for the City of St. Louis Park, where he oversaw the Investigations, Patrol, and Administrative Divisions, building extensive experience in criminal and employment investigations, policy development, grants, data practices and records, recruitment and hiring, commission relations, and community engagement. 

In addition to a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Minnesota, Garland received a Juris Doctor degree from William Mitchell College of Law, a Law Enforcement Certificate from Metro State University, and a Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metro State University. He also holds a Certificate from the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command.

Shannon Loehrke: Communications Director

Shannon Loehrke joined the Minnesota Department of Corrections in March, 2024 as the Director of Communications. As the lead for the agency’s communications and community engagement efforts, Shannon oversees internal and external communications, public relations and media relations for the department, highlighting the DOC’s mission, goals, values, culture and priorities. Further, she is a spokesperson for the agency, leads the agency’s crisis management planning and response, and provides strategic guidance to the Commissioner and the DOC’s executive team.

Shannon has more than 20 years of communications experience in state government and higher education. Prior to joining the DOC, Shannon worked for the nonpartisan media office of the Minnesota Senate where she covered the legislature and hosted Capitol Report, a public affairs television program featuring interviews with key legislators and government leaders.

Shannon earned bachelors and masters degrees in piano performance from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in piano performance from the University of Minnesota.  She taught at universities in Iowa, Minnesota and Texas before transitioning to work in journalism and communications.