MCF-Stillwater - Phased Closure

Chapter 35, House File 2432, the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Omnibus bill, was signed into law by Governor Tim Walz May 23, 2025. The new law includes the directive for the phased closure of the Minnesota Correctional Facility (MCF) – Stillwater. 

The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) is now engaged in planning for the gradual closure of the facility in order to reach full closure of the facility by June 30, 2029.

The population and operational footprint at MCF-Stillwater have been reduced, and approximately half of the incarcerated population has been transferred to one of the DOC’s other nine male facilities.

Staffing has been reduced proportionally. Nearly all impacted DOC staff impacted have transferred employment to other facilities.

As part of the planning process for the phased closure of MCF-Stillwater, two critical studies are due to the Legislature by September 30, 2026:

  1. Decommissioning Study. The DOC has awarded the RFPs for the decommissioning study, and work is now underway. This effort includes two components: (1) an evaluation of hazardous materials and (2) a broader general decommissioning assessment. The study will examine options for addressing the facility’s physical infrastructure and outline recommendations for how to proceed with the site’s long-term disposition.
  2. Management Study. A separate management study will be developed to guide operational planning related to the closure. The Request for Proposal is currently being finalized and will be posted shortly. This study will assess operational considerations associated with vacating the facility, including staffing and labor impacts, logistics for transferring incarcerated individuals, and an analysis of the state’s future prison bed space needs.

Recent Reports:

Communications:

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Last Updated 01/07/2026