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    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 and has identified two phases in order to reach full closure of the facility by June 30, 2029.

    Phase 1: Reduced Operations

    DOC leadership will initiate steps to begin a reduction of the population and operational footprint at MCF-Stillwater over several months. Approximately half of the incarcerated population will be transferred to one of the DOC’s other nine male facilities, with several living units remaining at Stillwater during this period.

    Staffing will be reduced proportionally. The DOC will explore various mechanisms to transfer staff to other positions, but a reduction in staffing is expected. The DOC will work closely with labor unions to ensure that the staff impact is as minimal as possible. 

    During Phase 1, the DOC will launch two critical studies:

    1. A management study to guide operations, staff logistics, and community considerations. The study will assess and provide recommendations for the operational processes involved in permanently vacating MCF-Stillwater. Key areas of focus will include labor management, logistics for transferring incarcerated individuals, community impacts, and an analysis of the states future need for prison bed space.
    2. A decommissioning study to plan the long-term future of the Stillwater site. This study will explore options for decommissioning the facility’s physical infrastructure and examine future opportunities for the site’s buildings and land.

    Phase 2: Full Closure

    Beginning July 2027, the DOC will start the final transition to fully vacate the MCF-Stillwater site, transferring the remaining incarcerated individuals and staff.

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    Last Updated 06/03/2025

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