Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*
Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol
Already have an account?
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
Elizabeth Shockman

Demonstrators call for investigation into conditions inside Stillwater state prison

People protest outside a prison
People gathered outside the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater in Bayport, Minn., on Monday to show their support for people incarcerated inside. The facility remains on lockdown status following what family members say was an inmate protest of poor conditions on Sunday.
Elizabeth Shockman | MPR News

Like this?

Log in to share your opinion with MPR News and add it to your profile.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Dozens of people gathered outside the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater Monday to protest living conditions inside the prison. 

The gathering followed a peaceful protest put on by close to 100 incarcerated people on Sunday to decry reduced shower, phone and recreation time, as well as dangerously hot rooms and poor water quality. 

Protesters outside the front of the facility carried signs reading “Decarcerate MN” and “My dad deserves water.” They stood at a gate outside the building and shouted “We hear you, we see you, we love you, we’re with you,” as inmates inside shouted and whistled in response.

Marvina Haynes, whose brother is incarcerated in Stillwater, says the building will remain on lockdown through Tuesday and some inmates have fainted from the heat.

People protest outside of a prison
Marvina Haynes, whose brother is incarcerated in Stillwater, was one of the protestors gathered outside the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater in Bayport, Minn., on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023, to show their support for people incarcerated inside. The facility remains under lockdown status following what family members say was an inmate protest of poor conditions on Sunday.
Elizabeth Shockman | MPR News

“We are calling on the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to do an investigation into this,” Haynes said. “Also we’re calling on the Department of Corrections to work with community to ensure that our loved ones is getting the proper treatment.”

Chauntyll Allen, who is the director of criminal justice policy and activism with Wayfinder Foundation, called for an investigation into the way Minnesota prisons are run. 

“I know that people wouldn’t allow this kind of treatment for dogs,” she said. “I don’t care what kind of crime or mistake you have made in your lifetime, you are still human. We need to investigate the people who are running these facilities.”

The Department of Corrections acknowledged there are issues with staffing and air conditioning at the facilities, but said the water has been tested. DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell says he intends to address air conditioning issues during the next legislative session.