Complaints to the Ombuds for Corrections

Who Can File a Complaint 

The Office of the Ombuds for Corrections (OBFC) accepts complaints from incarcerated individuals in Minnesota, corrections staff, and concerned family members and community members. The Ombuds for Corrections works in state prisons and local and regional correctional facilities in Minnesota. There is no fee or charge to file a complaint with the OBFC.

How to Make a Complaint

Download the form, complete and send it to our office

• Complaint form (PDF) for Minnesota prisons
• Complaint form (PDF) for local adult and juvenile facilities and systemic complaints
• Complaint form (PDF) for staff

Email to OBFCComplaints@state.mn.us

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

 

Call us
Call 651-539-4520 and press 1. Leave a message and a staff member will return your call during regular business hours to accept your complaint.

En Español

• Complaint form: Formulario oficial de quejas Oficina del Ombuds de Minnesota para Correcciones

• Information for incarcerated people: Información para personas encarceladas en instalaciones del DOC

Jurisdiction

The Ombuds for Corrections can investigate complaints in Minnesota Correctional Facilities (state prisons), and regional and local correctional facilities. 

Note about complaints about regional and local correctional facilities: The Ombuds is required to refer complaints about local facilities to the Department of Corrections Inspection and Enforcement unit. If you file a complaint with us first, we will provide you with information to contact I&E about your complaint. Learn more about I&E at https://mn.gov/doc/about/office-inspector-general/inspection-enforcement-licensing/.

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. 

What Happens Next 

The office reviews each complaint and will notify the incarcerated person or complainant what will happen. If the OBFC investigates the complaint, it will let the incarcerated person know the results and action taken. The OBFC will also inform the Department of Corrections and the official or employee who is involved. 

If the office does not investigate a complaint, the information you provide may still be used to inform broader systemic review and recommendations.

What Else You Should Know 

• The OBFC is a separate and independent agency from the DOC.
• The Ombuds cannot force the DOC to take or change any action, or in any way discipline staff or inmates. The OBFC works 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 will not 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.