Thursday, September 19, at 7:44 a.m., one staff person at MCF-Stillwater responded to a report of an incarcerated man smoking an unknown substance in his cell. The staff member experienced an adverse reaction that included lightheadedness, nausea, and an increased heart rate. He was taken by ambulance to Lakeview Hospital. Shortly thereafter, three staff members reported experiencing similar reactions and were taken to the hospital. Later, three other staff who had responded to the incident began feeling ill, and two were taken to the hospital. Separately, but in the same housing unit, an incarcerated man threw a container with an unknown substance from his cell that landed near staff. Three staff experienced illness and were also transported to the hospital.

In total, nine MCF-Stillwater staff were taken to the hospital for evaluation; all but one staff were transported by paramedics. One staff member was given Narcan when they began to experience symptoms. As of Thursday afternoon, all staff have been treated and released.

The DOC’s Office of Special Investigations is actively investigating to determine what the substance was and how the contraband is being introduced into the facility. An incarcerated man who was caught smoking the substance told investigators he had smoked a stronger than expected dose of synthetic K-2. While investigators have not completed testing for the specific substance from this incident, recent investigations have identified the presence of MDMB-4en-PINACA, soaked into paper and dried. PINACA is an indazole-based synthetic cannabinoid that is often purchased online and can be introduced into the facility through the mail. The Minnesota DOC and corrections agencies across the country are using a range of strategies to mitigate the introduction of these substances through the mail, including scanning mail through machine detection processes and, most recently, by initiating a pilot project whereby nearly all mail is photocopied.

The DOC’s Office of Special Investigations is currently focusing its investigation on certain persons in the incarcerated population who are working with outside individuals or groups to introduce the substances into the facility through a variety of means. 

“These synthetic substances are particularly dangerous because the chemical properties that comprise them are unknown and uncontrolled,” said Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell. “We are prioritizing our investigative efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for conspiring to introduce these substances into the secure correctional environment. For the safety of our staff, we are reviewing and updating our emergency response protocols to suspected drug use incidents,” Commissioner Schnell added.