Overview
- The Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association held a roll call vote at its winter conference on Dec. 22 declaring no confidence in DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell and calling for his resignation or removal by the governor.
- Sheriffs accuse the DOC’s Inspection and Enforcement Unit of reducing authorized capacities at multiple jails, leading to inmate transfers and higher costs for counties.
- The association points to the reclassification of the Otter Tail County Jail to a 72-hour facility as an example of actions they say disrupt local detention operations.
- MSA leaders argue that Chapter 2911 jail standards are being applied through arbitrary interpretations without consistent due process, calling the inspection process burdensome.
- The Department of Corrections responded that its actions are grounded in law and documented to protect safety and reduce risk, rejecting claims that its enforcement is arbitrary.