Complaints

The Office of the Ombuds for Corrections (OBFC) can accept complaints from incarcerated individuals in Minnesota, corrections staff, and concerned family members and community members.

The OBFC does not have jurisdiction over federal facilities, courts, law enforcement, attorneys, reason for confinement, supervised release or probation, and cannot take or investigate complaints on these matters. Please see our resource page for alternative resources.

There are several types of complaints. Please follow the instruction under the category that fits best below.

If you are unsure which type of complaint to file or if you need assistance with filling out a complaint, please call our office at 651-539-4520 and press 1.

Local Adult and Juvenile Facilities

Local Adult and Juvenile Facilities

Local correctional facilities include city and county jails and detention centers; and juvenile secure detention and residential facilities.

The OBFC is required to refer local facility compliance complaints to the Department of Corrections Inspection and Enforcement unit (DOC I&E). Find more information about the process for local facilities here.

If an action of a local facility is in compliance with state law and policy, but you believe it is unreasonable, unfair, inefficient, or otherwise problematic, you may bring it to the attention of the OBFC, please use the systemic complaint form. All other local facility complaints should be directed as described on the local facilities page.
Individual Complaints DOC Facilities
Individual Complaints DOC Facilities

A complaint related to a specific incarcerated individual at a MN DOC Correctional Facility.
1. Complete the DOC Process
  
  Before filling out the OBFC complaint form, the person who is incarcerated must complete the DOC grievance process first. Complaints for things that have a DOC grievance process will NOT be accepted or investigated unless there is some overwhelming reason that the DOC process cannot be completed or the process is not being properly followed. It’s important that the DOC maintain an effective process for resolving grievances, for the health and welfare of incarcerated individuals, so we do not want to replace or interfere in that process.
2. Consent from Incarcerated Individual
  
  We appreciate information from family members, advocates, and others about concerns of those who are incarcerated; however, the OBFC will generally not conduct investigations on behalf of another person without gaining their consent (unless the individual is unable to consent). In some circumstances we can perform welfare checks if someone may be at imminent risk of harm.
  
  If an incarcerated person does not want our assistance or does not respond, OBFC will not investigate the matter. We cannot provide information to you regarding their status as Minnesota law protects information regarding their case as private data.
  
  If you want to share with your loved one how they can file their own complaint with our office, incarcerated individuals can access the Ombuds complaint form in the library at their facility. If they cannot access the facility library, they can send a kite to the library to request an Ombuds complaint form.
3. What will happen?
  
  The incarcerated person will be notified of the status of their case. After completing the investigation, the Office will let them know the results and the action taken.
  
  We cannot provide information to you regarding their status as Minnesota law protects information regarding their case as private data.
  
  If the OBFC does not investigate the complaint, the information you provide may still be used to inform broader systemic review and recommendations.
What Else You Should Know
- The Ombuds cannot force the DOC to take or change any action, or in any way discipline staff or those who are incarcerated. The OBFC can work to resolve issues, investigate, make recommendations, and publish reports.
- The Ombuds has the discretion to decide what things will be investigated, and will prioritize issues affecting health, safety, and actions or policies that have an impact on multiple individuals; based upon resources available. We cannot investigate reasons for incarceration or sentencing issues.
- Correspondence to and from the OBFC is protected and the DOC is not permitted to review it.
- It is illegal for DOC staff to retaliate for someone making a complaint to the OBFC.
Complaint Form for Individual Complaints at MN DOC Facilities.

Fill out and sign the form digitally and email it as an attachment to: OBFCComplaints@state.mn.us

Or print, complete the form front and back, sign, and mail it and up to one additional sheet of paper to:

Office of the Ombuds for Corrections
540 Fairview Ave N, Suite 202
St. Paul, MN, 55104
Systemic Complaints

Systemic Complaints

A complaint about a general, systemic issue, related to statute, policy, or procedure and not related to a specific incarcerated individual.

One of the ways the Ombuds Office can be most impactful is by promoting change at the systems level.

We appreciate the information you provide and do review each complaint. The information you provide may be used to inform further systemic review. Due to limited resources, we cannot investigate all systemic complaints even if they have merit. The OBFC prioritizes complaints about issues affecting health, safety, and actions and policies in which we are likely to have an impact.

The Ombuds cannot force facilities to take or change any action. The OBFC can work to resolve issues, investigate, make recommendations, and publish reports.

This form can be used for state facilities, and all local adult and juvenile facilities, as well as corrections overall.

Systemic Complaint Form for systemic complaints at MN DOC Facilities, local adult facilities, and local juvenile facilities.

Print, complete the form front and back, sign, and mail it and up to one additional sheet of paper to:

Office of the Ombuds for Corrections
540 Fairview Ave N, Suite 202
St. Paul, MN, 55104

Or fill out and sign the form digitally and email it as an attachment to: OBFCComplaints@state.mn.us
Complaints from Staff

Complaints from Staff

Complaints from DOC or local facility staff.

The OBFC is required by statute to focus on issues that impact the administration of corrections and may investigate complaints from staff about agency actions or policies that specifically and uniquely impact the administration of corrections.

The office is not intended, nor does it have the capacity, to receive or investigate complaints related to general conditions of employment. Complaints about issues that are common to employment anywhere, such as work assignment, promotion, retirement, benefits, conflicts with other staff, etc., cannot be accepted by the OBFC. For these issues, staff should follow the appropriate administrative process through HR and/or union representation.

Staff must follow any administrative processes first before a complaint can be made to the OBFC.

If you are unclear about whether your complaint can be filed with the OBFC, you can email OBFCComplaints@state.mn.us or call 651-539-4520 ext. 1.

Complaint Form for Corrections Staff
Anonymous Complaints
Anonymous Complaints

There may be times when someone does not want to provide their name or the name of their loved one for various reasons.

Important things to know about complaints made to the OBFC:
- Retaliation for making a complaint is illegal, but we recognize that it can still happen. If you feel you or someone has been retaliated against, please let us know right away.
- It may be difficult to help someone if the complaint is made anonymously.
- All information provided to the OBFC is voluntary.
- All data collected by the Office of the Ombuds for Corrections related to a complaint is classified as private or confidential.
- The information may be shared with staff of the agency complained against to investigate, make recommendations, and publish reports or to prevent imminent risk of harm to any person.
- The name, location, and OID number (if applicable) of complainants is public data.
See more about OBFC Data Practices.

To file a complaint anonymously, call the office at 651-539-4520, press 1, and request to make an anonymous complaint. A case number will be given for reference.