02027OBFC Reports680388This Annual Report report highlights five years of service in Minnesota, with a focus on key aspects of our work in 2025, including complaints, investigations, and their outcomes.2025 Annual ReportengThis Annual Report highlights five years of service in Minnesota, with a focus on key aspects of our work in 2025, including complaints, investigations, and their outcomes.Annual Report68158002025 Annual ReportA photo of the entrance to Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud overlaid in blue with the Minnesota Ombuds for Corrections logo and a white stripe with the words 2025 Annual Report./obfc/assets/Untitled-2_tcm1157-724960.png026 2025 Annual Report<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-724961" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2026-02-13T01:34:51Z1157724961/obfc/assets/2025-Annual-Report_tcm1157-724959.pdf2026-04-08T16:14:01ZOBFC Reports680388engThis report details the investigation and recommendations developed after a visitor at a state correctional facility was subjected to multiple intrusive searches of her religious head covering in violation of DOC policy.Recommendation6814940Religious Head Covering SearchVisiting area of a correctional facility with the Office of the Ombuds for Corrections logo and Religious Head Covering Search/obfc/assets/Untitled-1%20%282%29_tcm1157-717108.png025 Religious Head Coverings Search<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-717111" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2025-12-20T01:45:57Z1157717111Visiting681561/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Religious%20Head%20Covering%20Search%20Report%20November%202025_tcm1157-717105.pdf2026-08-06T21:37:02ZOBFC Reports680388engThis report describes the urgent need for mental health support in Minnesota jails and provides recommendations.Recommendation6814940Languishing Behind BarsAn image of an empty jail cell with bed, sink and toilet with a transparent teal overlay. The image contains the logo for the Minnesota Office of the Ombuds for Corrections and the words Languishing Behind Bars, June 2025 Report./obfc/assets/Untitled-4%20%282%29_tcm1157-693628.png024 Languishing Behind Bars<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-693633" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2025-06-16T21:31:01Z1157693633Mental Health693631/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Languishing%20Behind%20Bars%20Report%20July%202025_tcm1157-693740.pdf2026-05-19T18:00:00ZOBFC Reports680388engThis updated report highlights the need for Minnesota to update prison infrastructure and replace obsolete facilities to protect the health and safety of corrections staff and incarcerated people.Recommendation68149402025 Update: Crumbling Conditions Create Crisis in Minnesota PrisonsCrumbling Conditions Create Crisis in Minnesota Prisons text overlaid on a picture of prison bars inside a correctional facility./obfc/assets/Crumbling-Conditions-Update-Thumbnail_tcm1157-669298.png023 2025 Update: Crumbling Conditions Create Crisis in Minnesota Prisons<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-682320" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2025-02-01T19:42:54Z1157682320Infrastructure681499/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Crumbling%20Conditions%20Report%20Updated%20February%202025_tcm1157-669735.pdf2026-05-19T19:57:16ZOBFC Reports680388engThe 2024 Annual Report report highlights key aspects of our work, including complaints, investigations, and their outcomes.Annual Report6815800Annual Report 20242024 Annual Report text overlaid on a picture of correctional facility /obfc/assets/2024-Annual-Report-Thumbnail_tcm1157-664876.png022 Annual Report 2024<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681587" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2024-12-31T06:00:00Z1157681587Annual Report681581/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202024_tcm1157-664872.pdf2026-09-08T19:35:07ZOBFC Reports680388engThis brief report highlights how under-resourced prisons are not serving Minnesota’s public safety needs.Recommendation6814940Crumbling Conditions Create Crisis in Minnesota PrisonsText: Crumbling Conditions Create Crisis in Minnesota Prisons" overlaid on a photo of crumbling cell bars next to a correction's officer with their arm and leg in blue corrections uniform/obfc/assets/5%20%2813%29_tcm1157-610211.png001 Crumbling Conditions Create Crisis in Minnesota Prisons: Under-resourced prisons are not serving Minnesota’s public safety needs<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681500" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2024-02-01T06:00:00Z1157681500Infrastructure681499/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Crumbling%20Conditions%20Report%202024_tcm1157-610210.pdf2026-09-08T19:50:28ZOBFC Reports680388eng<span style="font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The 2023 Annual Report reviews how the office continues to work to address these challenges by providing independent and impartial investigations, reports, and recommendations to resolve complaints and improve policies.</span>Annual Report6815800Annual Report 2023Office of the Ombuds for Corrections 2023 Annual Report/obfc/assets/Annual%20Report%202023%20Banner_tcm1157-689620.png017 Annual Report 2023<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681582" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2023-12-31T06:00:00Z1157681582Annual Report681581/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202023_tcm1157-608078.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202023%20FINAL%20_tcm1157-608078.pdf2026-09-08T20:00:43ZOBFC Reports680388engThis report summarizes the Family and Friends of Incarcerated collaborative pilot project designed to strengthen loved ones’ positive support of incarcerated individuals, and the recommendations from this pilot.Recommendation6814940Family and Friends of Incarcerated Pilot Report 2023/obfc/assets/5%20%282%29_tcm1157-624721_tcm1157-680392.png000 Family and Friends of Incarcerated Pilot<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681355" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2023-12-24T06:00:00Z1157681355Families681497/obfc/assets/Family%20and%20Friends%20of%20Incarcerated%20Pilot%20Report%202023_tcm1157-624824.pdf2026-09-08T21:35:45ZOBFC Reports680388engThis report highlights an urgent need for fairer, less costly, and more accessible communication in jails.Recommendation681494Research6815300Cost of Connection/obfc/assets/003_tcm1157-681527.png003 Cost of Connection<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681533" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2023-10-01T05:00:00Z1157681533Communication681531Phones681532/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Cost%20of%20Connection%20Report%20_Final_%20%209.20.23_tcm1157-687779.pdf2026-04-07T14:17:43ZOBFC Reports680388engThe OBFC worked with the DOC on better processes for following Disability Modification policy.Recommendation6814940OBFC Disability Modifications Investigation Report and Recommendations/obfc/assets/006_tcm1157-681552.png006 OBFC Disability Modifications Investigation Report and Recommendations<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681554" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2023-02-01T06:00:00Z1157681554Accommodations681536Disability681553/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Disability%20Modifications%20with%20DOC%20Response%207.23.22_tcm1157-537026.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Disability%20Modifications%20with%20DOC%20Response%207.23.22_tcm1157-537026.pdf2026-03-20T21:33:56ZOBFC Reports680388engThe OBFC completed an investigation into shower accommodations for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals at a MN Correctional Facility.Recommendation6814940OBFC Investigation Shower Accommodations/obfc/assets/004_tcm1157-681534.png004 OBFC Investigation Shower Accommodations<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681537" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2023-02-01T06:00:00Z1157681537Gender Identity681535Accommodations681536/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20for%20Shower%20Accommodations%20with%20DOC%20Response%20FINAL%203.10.23_tcm1157-569354.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20for%20Shower%20Accommodations%20with%20DOC%20Response%20FINAL%203.10.23_tcm1157-569354.pdf2026-03-20T20:54:07ZOBFC Reports680388engThe OBFC concluded an investigation into allegations during a transport and overall transport processes.Recommendation6814940OBFC Investigation Central Transport Report/obfc/assets/003_tcm1157-681501.png002 OBFC Investigation Central Transport Report<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681504" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2023-01-10T06:00:00Z1157681504Transportation681503/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20DOC%20Central%20Transport%20_%20October%202023_%20Final_tcm1157-595947.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20DOC%20Central%20Transport%20_%20October%202023_%20Final%20_tcm1157-595947.pdf2026-03-23T20:07:18ZOBFC Reports680388eng<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The 2022 Annual Report describes the work of the office as it continued to meet the challenges of being a small office with big tasks and illustrates many successes in resolving complaints and changing correctional policies.</div>Annual Report6815800Annual Report 2022Office of the Ombuds for Corrections 2022 Annual Report/obfc/assets/Annual%20Report%202022%20Resized%20Banner_tcm1157-689619.png018 Annual Report 2022<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681583" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2022-12-12T06:00:00Z1157681583/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202022%20Final%20PDF%20Version%20_tcm1157-570755.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202022%20Final%20PDF%20Version%20_tcm1157-570755.pdf2026-04-16T17:35:56ZOBFC Reports680388eng<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Office of the Ombuds for Corrections (OBFC) investigated a complaint from an individual at MCF-Rush City who alleged he had been wrongly disciplined for illegal use of drugs and disorderly conduct.</p>Recommendation6814940Illegal Use of Drugs Discipline ReportText OBFC Discipline Investigations over a photo of a cell/obfc/assets/Discipline%20Banner%20Resized_tcm1157-520212.png008 Illegal Use of Drugs Discipline Report<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681559" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2022-12-01T06:00:00Z1157681559Discipline681556Substance Use681558/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Discipline%20for%20Illegal%20Drug%20Use%20Investigation%20Report%20with%20DOC%20Response%202.9.22_tcm1157-520219.pdf2026-04-06T17:55:25ZOBFC Reports680388engThe OBFC recently concluded a long term investigation into sexual assault allegations and related processes.Recommendation6814940OBFC Investigation Sexual Assault Report/obfc/assets/005_tcm1157-681538.png005 OBFC Investigation Sexual Assault Report<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681540" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2022-12-01T06:00:00Z1157681540Sexual Assault681539/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Sexual%20Assault%20with%20DOC%20Response%20FINAL%20Feb%202023_tcm1157-566447.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Sexual%20Assault%20with%20DOC%20Response%20FINAL%20Feb%202023.docx_tcm1157-566447.pdf2026-04-06T17:26:52ZOBFC Reports680388eng<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">A 2021 complaint from MCF-Oak Park Heights prompted the Ombuds to examine video visiting restrictions.</p>Recommendation6814940Video Visiting Restrictions Report/obfc/assets/008_tcm1157-681560.png009 Video Visiting Restrictions Report<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681562" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2022-02-01T06:00:00Z1157681562Communication681531Visiting681561/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Video%20Visiting%20Restrictions%20and%20DOC%20Response%202.9.22_tcm1157-518889.pdf2026-04-16T16:45:07ZOBFC Reports680388engThis 2021 annual report summarizes the work of the OBFC in its second year of operations.Annual Report6815800Annual Report 2021OBFC Annual Report 2021/obfc/assets/Annual%20Report%202021%20%282%29_tcm1157-514495.png019 Annual Report 2021<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681584" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-12-31T06:00:00Z1157681584Annual Report681581/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202021_tcm1157-514484.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202021_tcm1157-514484.pdf2026-04-07T20:34:26ZOBFC Reports680388engThis is a report regarding investigation of an incident in which personal religious writings were discarded upon intake at MCF-St. Cloud.Recommendation6814940OBFC Investigation Report and Recommendations/obfc/assets/011_tcm1157-681566.png011 OBFC Investigation Report and Recommendations (religious property complaint)<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681570" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-12-01T06:00:00Z1157681570Property681571/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Property%20and%20DOC%20Response%2012.17.21_tcm1157-513315.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Property%20and%20DOC%20Response%2012.17.21_tcm1157-513315.pdf2026-04-16T17:14:07ZOBFC Reports680388eng<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This report covers the results of an investigation resulting from a complaint about urinalysis testing in the Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP).</p>Recommendation6814940Challenge Incarceration Program Random Drug Testing Report and Recommendations/obfc/assets/010_tcm1157-681563.png010 Challenge Incarceration Program Random Drug Testing Report and Recommendations<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681565" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-12-01T06:00:00Z1157681565Substance Use681558Drug Testing681564/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20CIP%20Random%20Drug%20Testing%20Report%2C%20Recommendations%2C%20and%20DOC%20Response%2012.20.21_tcm1157-518116.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20CIP%20Random%20Drug%20Testing%20Report%2C%20Recommendations%2C%20and%20DOC%20Response%2012.20.21_tcm1157-518116.pdf2026-04-16T16:56:54ZOBFC Reports680388eng<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This report summarizes an OBFC investigation after a complainant alleged he was charged with fighting and disorderly conduct after he was assaulted by another incarcerated person without fighting back. </p>Recommendation6814940Discipline Investigation Report and Recommendations/obfc/assets/007_tcm1157-681555.png007 Discipline Investigation Report and Recommendations<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681557" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-12-01T06:00:00Z1157681557Discipline681556/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Public%20Report%20Discipline%20and%20DOC%20Response%20December%202021_tcm1157-520215.pdf2026-04-07T21:37:01ZOBFC Reports680388engThis is a report and recommendations regarding Department of Corrections grievance policies.Recommendation6814940DOC Grievance Policies Report/obfc/assets/012_tcm1157-681568.png012 DOC Grievance Policies<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681573" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-10-01T05:00:00Z1157681573Grievance Process681572/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Report%20DOC%20Grievance%20Policies%2011.3.21_tcm1157-507813.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Report%20DOC%20Grievance%20Policies%2011.3.21_tcm1157-507813.pdf2026-04-16T20:51:50ZOBFC Reports680388engThis report is about supporting the families of people incarcerated in Minnesota prisons.Recommendation6814940Strengthening Families/obfc/assets/013_tcm1157-681567.png013 Strengthening Families<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681574" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-06-20T05:00:00Z1157681574Families681497/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Strengthening%20Families%20Report%20June%202021_tcm1157-487065.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Strengthening%20Families%20Report%20June%202021_tcm1157-487065.pdf2026-04-07T18:24:39ZOBFC Reports680388eng<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This report provides a summary of an OBFC investigation into a staff use of force incident at MCF-Moose Lake.</div>Recommendation6814940Investigation Report and Recommendations Photo of a prison with people in the background with an overlay of text: MN Office of the Ombuds for Corrections Investigation Report/obfc/assets/Investigation%20Report%20Banner_tcm1157-687782.png014 Investigation Report and Recommendations (use of force complaint)<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681575" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-05-01T05:00:00Z1157681575Use of Force681569/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Use%20of%20Force%20Report%205.10.21_tcm1157-687789.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/OBFC%20Use%20of%20Force%20Report%205.10.21_tcm1157-481633.pdf2026-03-19T18:33:08ZOBFC Reports680388engThis report provides an overview of corrections response during the COVID-19 pandemic thus far and includes recommendations and considerations for review.Recommendation6814940COVID-19 ReportPhoto of a corona virus image superimposed over a blurry photo of jail bars and the word COVID 19 report. /obfc/assets/Office%20of%20the%20Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20COVID-19%20Report%20%281%29_tcm1157-689612.jpg015 COVID-19 Report<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681577" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2021-03-01T06:00:00Z1157681577Covid-19681576/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20COVID%20Report%20March%202021_tcm1157-470322.pdfhttps://mn.gov/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20COVID%20Report%20March%202021_tcm1157-470322.pdf2025-06-11T02:10:37ZOBFC Reports680388engThese appendices supplement the 2020 annual report recapping work by the OBFC over its first year of operations.Annual Report6815800Annual Report Appendices 2020Office of the Ombuds for Corrections 2020 Annual Report/obfc/assets/Annual%20Report%202020%20Banner_tcm1157-689618.png021 Annual Report Appendices 2020<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681586" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2020-12-31T06:00:00Z1157681586Annual Report681581/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Appendices%20Annual%20Report%202020%20_tcm1157-687785.pdf2026-04-07T20:52:50ZOBFC Reports680388engThis 2020 annual report recaps work by the OBFC over its first year of operations.Annual Report6815800Annual Report 2020Office of the Ombuds for Corrections 2020 Annual Report/obfc/assets/Annual%20Report%202020%20Banner_tcm1157-689618.png020 Annual Report 2020<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681585" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2020-12-31T06:00:00Z1157681585Annual Report681581/obfc/assets/Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20Annual%20Report%202020%20without%20Appendices_tcm1157-687783.pdf2026-04-07T18:41:15ZOBFC Reports680388engThis appendix supplements the COVID-19 report providing an overview of corrections response during the COVID-19 pandemic.Research6815300COVID-19 Research summary: Prison population managementPhoto of a corona virus image superimposed over a blurry photo of jail bars and the word COVID 19 report. /obfc/assets/Office%20of%20the%20Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20COVID-19%20Report%20%281%29_tcm1157-689612.jpg016 Research summary: Prison population management<custom:Link urlOnly="true" type="Component" destination="tcm:1157-681579" templateURI="tcm:0-0-0" origin="tcm:0-0-0" />2020-12-21T06:00:00Z1157681579Population Reduction681578/obfc/assets/Appendix%20A%20Ombuds%20for%20Corrections%20COVID%20Report_tcm1157-687788.pdf2026-04-07T19:00:37Z