In Facility Transition Fairs

What is a Transitions Fair?

DOC Transitions Fairs provide an opportunity for our incarcerated population to connect 1:1 with community partners across the state of MN who offer release services and support. Community partners invited to participate included services around: housing, employment, education, healthcare, identification, and overall community support navigation. 

We are very excited for our 2026 Transitions Fairs at our MN Correctional Facilities! While the outline of these important events will remain similar to previous years, we will be making some adjustments to account for the many changes within facility operations over the course of the last year.

  • Clear bags will be required of all Transitions Fair participants - entry will not be permitted without one. 
  • Each Organization is only allowed to enter with either a tablecloth or banner/table display that represents their Organization - it cannot be both.
  • The process for resource distribution will look different this year.  This will be communicated by each individual facility.
  • Minnesota Department of Corrections enforces a strict dress code and contraband polity to ensure the safety of our community partners, DOC Staff, and incarcerated individuals.  Transition Fair participants that do not adhere to this policy will not be permitted to enter.
  • Each facility will require you to fill out the Vendor Application for facility logistics and set up as their Transitions Fair date nears.
  • The Application for Access to a MN Correctional Facility needs to be completed annually, per DOC policy 300.020.  DOC Staff will inform you if you need to complete this.

Thank you for your understanding of our process to gain access into our Minnesota Correctional Facilities, and we look forward to sharing your important work with our incarcerated populations.  Thank you to our Community Resources statewide - the collaboration for these events is second to none!


In Facility Transitions Fair Dates

Facility Transitions Fair Date Application Due Date Facility Contact
MCF-Willow River #1 April 7, 2026 Completed Tisha Harder: tisha.harder@state.mn.us
MCF-Red Wing April 21, 2026 Completed Laura Anderson: laura.a.anderson@state.mn.us
MCF-Faribault June 10, 2026 May 13, 2026 Leah Nelson: leah.nelson@state.mn.us
MCF-Lino Lakes August 6, 2026 July 9, 2026 Tony Mayer: anthony.mayer@state.mn.us
MCF-Moose Lake September 15, 2026 August 18, 2026 Mae Lewis: maerene.lewis@state.mn.us
MCF-Rush City September 29, 2026 September 1, 2026 Lynsey Barnes: lynsey.barnes@state.mn.us
MCF-Willow River #2 October 13, 2026 September 15, 2026 Tisha Harder: tisha.harder@state.mn.us
MCF-St. Cloud October 21, 2026 September 23, 2026 Brian Hoeper: brian.hoeper@state.mn.us
MCF-Shakopee November 10, 2026 October 13, 2026 Gretchen Iverson: gretchen.iverson@state.mn.us