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Notification of Custody Status and Release

Minnesota Haven: Information and Release Notification

Under Minnesota Law, victims, witnesses and others have certain rights. The Minnesota Department of Corrections is dedicated to ensuring that victims’ rights are enforced and victims and survivors have a meaningful voice with the state correctional system.

Individuals must submit a request containing current contact information in order to receive information from the Minnesota Department of Corrections pursuant to Minn. Stat. §611A.06. Request for notification are confidential.

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Information and Release Notification

If the individual is in a Department of Corrections (DOC) facility or under community supervision.


Click here for a registration form

FORMULARIO DE SOLUCITUD DE NOTIFICACIONES PARA MINNESOTA HAVEN

DOC utilizes, Minnesota Haven (formally known as Minnesota CHOICE), a system that has been developed by the DOC as a resource for victims and community members on information regarding those sentenced to the Commissioner of Corrections. Haven provides victims and members of the public with information and support specific to:

· Notification of custody status while incarcerated or on community supervised release;

· Information critical for safety and security planning and an opportunity to request safety planning services;

· Opportunity to request assistance in reporting continued abusive behaviors or protective order violations;

· Opportunities to provide input to corrections staff throughout the incarceration and community supervision period;

· Opportunities to access information about corrections processes as they relate to facility security, programming and reentry decisions including paroling decisions for life sentenced individuals;

· Opportunities to inquire about restitution collection and repayment;

· And opportunity to inquire and request to participate in victim/community member initiated restorative justice processes.

Notification Options:

When requesting notification, a requestor can choose to receive a variety of notification relating to custody status changes during an individual’s incarceration and supervised release. Notification are provided by email and/or by US Mail. Minnesota Haven does not approved phone notification UNLESS there is a need to notify of an inmate escape for a Minnesota correctional facility. For this reason, it is important for victims and registrants to update phone numbers any time they change.

  • Incarceration Custody Changes : These notifications are provided while the inmate is incarcerated at a Minnesota Correctional Facility. These notifications include: transfers between facilities, custody reduction, request for interstate transfer, and change of caseworker.
  • Release Notifications: These notifications provide information about an inmate’s release. These notifications include: 60-day notice of release, conditional release, final release, input at reentry, agent assignment, and release on expiration of sentence.
  • Early Release Programs: These notifications are only provided if an inmate is approved to participate in an early release program. These notifications include: Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP), Conditional Release Program, Institution Community Work Crew (ICWC), and Work Release.
  • Supervision Custody Changes: These notifications are provided while the individual is on supervision. These notifications include: change of agent, custody status changes, expiration of supervised release, and return to community supervision.
  • Offender Escape & Apprehension: These notifications are provided if the inmate escapes from a Minnesota Correctional Facility.


To register for notification:

Download the form, complete electronically, save and attach to an email to victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us or print and mail to Victim Assistance Program, 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 200, Saint Paul, MN 55108.

Click here for a registration form

FORMULARIO DE SOLUCITUD DE NOTIFICACIONES PARA MINNESOTA HAVEN

Updating contact information:

It is critical for victims and registrants of Minnesota Haven to keep contact information up to date and accurate. If at any time contact information changes, it can be updated by resubmitting a request form or contacting DOC Victim Services staff at 1-800-657-3830 or victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us

Questions:

· Contact DOC Victim Assistance staff at 1-800-657-3830 or victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us

· Contact DOC Restorative Justice staff at 651-361-7574 or restorativejustice.doc@state.mn.us

· Contact DOC Life Sentence Advocacy staff at 651-361-7100 or mnparoleinput.doc@state.mn.us

Enhanced Notification

General release notification is available to any individual that registers with Haven. Some victims may be eligible to receive additional or enhanced notification depending on the nature of the offense and/or the relationship between the victim and the inmate.

Predatory Offenses (POR): 
Victims of predatory offenses may be eligible to receive enhanced notification about the location of the registrant under the Community Notification Act ( Minn. Stat. §244.052 ). This enhanced notification is provided by law enforcement. In cases were the victim is a minor, parents/guardians of the minor child are eligible to receive the enhanced notification on their behalf. In cases were the victim is deceased as a result of the offense, next-of-kin are eligible to receive the enhanced notification.

For a list of registerable offenses, please view Minn. Stat. §243.166, Subd. 1b.

Questions or to request notification:

· Contact DOC Victim Assistance staff at 1-800-657-3830 or victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us

Qualified Domestic Violence Related Offenses (QDVRO)
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §611A.06, Subd. 3a , victims may be eligible to receive notification of the city and five-digit zip code of an inmate’s residency upon release from a Department of Corrections facility; if the victim and inmate have been household or family members as defined in Minn. Stat. §518b.01, Subd. 2b , the victim of an inmate convicted of a qualified domestic violence related offense as defined in Minn. Stat. §609.02, Subd. 16 .

This notification applies only where an inmate is serving a prison term for qualified domestic violence-related offense committed against the victim seeking notification.
 

Questions or to request notification:

· Contact DOC Victim Assistance staff at 1-800-657-3830 or victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us

Inmates Sentenced to Life with Possibility of Parole
Inmates sentenced to life with the possibility of parole are subject to the life sentence review process. The Life Sentence Review process ( Minn. Stat. §244.05, Subd. 5c. ) provides victim survivors -next of kin (parents, sibling, spouse, and children), the option to give an impact statement if they choose to do so. Impact can be provided in writing, through phone or video appearance or in-person.
 

Questions or to request notification:

· Contact DOC Life Sentence Advocacy staff at 651-361-7100 or mnparoleinput.doc@state.mn.us

Additional Information & Notification Resources

DOC Public Viewer:

This search can be used to retrieve public information about adult offenders who have been committed to the Commissioner of Corrections, and who are still under jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections (i.e. in prison, or released from prison and still under supervision).

https://coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicViewer

Public Registrant Search:

The Minnesota Department of Corrections discloses information on this website regarding individuals who are required to register under Minnesota Statutes 243.166 or 243.167 who are also subject to public notification according to Minnesota Statutes 244.052 or 253D.32 . The law enforcement agency responsible for disclosing information determines, on a case-by-case basis, what information to disclose. The Minnesota Department of Corrections posts information to this website within 48 hours of receiving authorization from law enforcement.

https://coms.doc.state.mn.us/PublicRegistrantSearch/

Minnesota VINE:

Provides notification about releases from county jail.

Contact 877-664-8463 or www.vinelink.com to register for notification.

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS):

Provides notification about release of individuals who are committed to DHS Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP).

MSOP Admissions Coordinator
The Minnesota Sex Offender Program
1111 Highway 73
Moose Lake, MN 55767

Telephone: (218) 565-6230
Email: Darien.R.Bottila@state.mn.us

https://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/services/sex-offender-treatment/faqs.jsp

Interstate Compact (ICOTS):

Inmates have the opportunity to submit to have their supervision transferred to another state under the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision . To determine if an inmate’s supervision has been transferred, go to the public web portal for the Interstate Compact.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP):

Provides notification and information regarding inmates in federal custody.

Public locator: https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/

Victim Resources: https://www.bop.gov/resources/victim_resources.jsp

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE):

Provides victim notification about releases from ICE.

https://www.ice.gov/voice

Questions:

· Contact DOC Victim Assistance staff at 1-800-657-3830 or victimassistance.doc@state.mn.us

· Contact DOC Restorative Justice staff at 651-361-7574 or restorativejustice.doc@state.mn.us

· Contact DOC Life Sentence Advocacy staff at 651-361-7100 or mnparoleinput.doc@state.mn.us

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