Challenge Incarceration Program - Willow River

Notice: Starting October 21, 2024, the DOC is updating approved book vendors—read the full memo here.

Aviso: a partir del 21 de octubre de 2024, el DOC actualizará los proveedores de libros aprobados; lea el memorando completo aquí.

All visits must be scheduled in advance.

CIP-Willow River is a minimum security boot camp program mandated by the Legislature in 1992 that allows non-violent individuals who qualify to earn early release. Phase 1 is a six-month, intensive program for up to 180  men who have non-violent drug and property offenses. Programming components include education, critical thinking skills development, chemical dependency programming, and rigorous physical exercise. Phases 2 and 3, supervised release phases, are generally six months in duration and served in the community.

Educational, Vocational, and Restorative Justice Opportunities:

Participants in CIP at Willow River participate in educational classes and chemical dependency treatment as required by an individual assessment. Participants also engage the youth and other community stakeholders at local schools in the Choices and Change program and other restorative justice endeavors. 

In addition, they are afforded the opportunity to take part in vocational learning such as:

• Apiary Program (beekeeping)
• Solar Panel Technology
• College and Career Prep

Employment Opportunities:

CIP participants all have jobs. These jobs include; Food Services and Maintenance, Work Crews, as well as providing assistance to the community and local non-profits.

Drinking Water Reports

• 2022
• 2021
• 2020
• 2019
• 2018

Visiting - Challenge Incarceration Program (Willow River) 

• All visits must be scheduled in advance by using the Online Scheduling Option. Schedule Visit Here
• When scheduling your visit, ensure that you are scheduling on the correct day that the person you are visiting is authorized to visit on.  If they are designated as a Clear Tag Squad, they are authorized visits on Saturdays only.  If they are designated as a Green Tag Squad, they are authorized visits on Sundays only.
• When scheduling a visit for a Saturday or a Sunday, the website will be open for scheduling up to 7 days prior to the day you want to visit.  Scheduling the visit must be completed prior to the actual visit day within this 7-day time period.  You will not be able to schedule a visit within 24 hours of the actual visit day.
• Each Willow River CIP participant is allowed up to Two 1 hour visits a month on authorized visiting days.
• Only one 1-hour visit is allowed for each authorized visit day.  Cannot combine Two 1-hour visits in 1 day.
• There can be up to 3 approved visitors allowed in at one time per visit.

Visiting Staff Contact: Phone: 218-485-2400.

All Willow River-CIP visitors must mail their applications to MCF-Rush City 7600 525th Street, Rush City, MN 55069.

Directions: Interstate 35 to Willow River exit. Go west on Co. Hwy 43 to the Stop sign. Take a right onto Co. Hwy. 61 and proceed 3 miles to CIP. Look for sign.

Visiting Regulations: Please read Visiting Information prior to visits.