In recognition of April being Second Chance Month, Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF)-Faribault hosted a Second Chances 5k run/walk on April 13.

The Second Chance 5k was held to bring awareness to barriers to reentry incarcerated individuals face upon release from prison, and to help create meaningful second chances and successful returns to their communities.

More than 130 incarcerated individuals took part in the event, which was last held at the facility in 2019.

The event featured speeches by DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell, Darryl Headbird (who is incarcerated at the facility and is on the Restorative Justice Committee) and Amanda Tuthill, a program director at the facility.

As participants and staff gathered before the event, Schnell told those in attendance “it’s great to celebrate second chances.” He continued, “Often times prison is the end of the criminal justice process and today the Department of Corrections has to think not only about the end, but about the beginning. We hope you use the time you have here to do the work you need to do to be successful out there. That is what our hope is for you. That is what I think the hope is on part of the people of Minnesota for you, and that is what’s in the best interest of your families, and the best interest for you and for our community… you being out here today is an investment in yourselves and an investment in your community.”

In welcoming the participants before the race started, Headbird said, “This event represents our motivation to reform and our ability to change. As life is a journey, we’ve all had to endure some difficult travels along our paths. Wherever you are on your journey in life, please remember that you are not alone in your journey. We belong to a community and when we harm our communities, we harm ourselves. This marathon represents our willingness to repair that harm through each step that we take, and that path of recovery doesn’t simply end with the end of this marathon or the release from prison. This path is a personal one and every positive choice we make affects the lives of the community around us."