The Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater is set to operate at half its original capacity by October 1, the state Department of Corrections (DOC) informed lawmakers during a remote hearing on Thursday, September 25.

The closure of the prison in Bayport was initially announced on May 15 as part of a budget deal between Governor Tim Walz and legislative leaders. The decision was driven by concerns over the deteriorating condition of the facility and the high cost of upkeep. The full closure of the prison is expected by June 30, 2029, according to the DOC.

By October 1, the prison’s capacity will be reduced to half, or 553 inmates. As of this week, the population stands at 487 incarcerated persons (IPs), shared Minnesota Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell during the hearing.

Since June 16, the DOC has transferred a total of 2,017 inmates across the state’s prison system. Of those, 728 have been transferred out of Stillwater, while 244 have been moved into the facility, Schnell reported. Among the inmates transferred out of Stillwater, 35% were moved to Rush City; 20% to Lino Lakes; 16% to Faribault; 14% to Moose Lake; 12% to Oak Park Heights; 2% to St. Cloud; and 1% to Red Wing.

Schnell emphasized that inmates do not have a say regarding the timing or destination of their transfers. The DOC uses a rubric that prioritizes medical or mental health needs first, followed by treatment and education needs.

When asked about transferring inmates far from their families in the Twin Cities area, Schnell explained that placement is not based solely on family location. He said, “We know the benefit and the effect of visiting. I just want to be really clear that while it is nice to have that metro facility, at the same time, we do not place strictly on the basis of where family is located. We simply can’t.”

This placement strategy is influenced by facility classifications and where necessary services can be delivered.

Staffing levels at Stillwater have also been affected. At the end of the 2025 legislative session, the prison employed 567 individuals. By October 1, this number is expected to drop to 231. Schnell noted that 95% of the 567 staff members have been able to retain jobs within the Department of Corrections.

Minnesota’s total prison population currently stands at 8,206—a decrease from a peak of nearly 11,000 in 2014. The system’s total capacity is 9,500. Despite the upcoming closure, Schnell reported that the current inmate population is stable and manageable.

### Lawmaker Feedback

The decision to close the Stillwater facility has drawn criticism from state lawmakers and prison staff, who noted a lack of prior discussion or public notice before the budget deal announcement in May.

Senator Warren Limmer (R-Maple Grove) remarked that while references to closing Stillwater have appeared over the years, there were no public hearings on the closure throughout the 2025 legislative session. “There’s a lot of questions that I have now that I guess the toothpaste is out of the tube, and it’s going to be pretty hard to get it back,” Limmer stated. “But nevertheless, I’m very concerned about the public transparency issue; the public safety issue I’m concerned about, perhaps the over-reliance on MRRA [the Minnesota Rehabilitation and Reinvestment Act].”

Conversely, Senator Sandy Pappas (DFL-St. Paul) pushed back against the idea that the closure was sudden. She noted that the closure has been discussed for decades. “It’s my understanding that when Oak Park Heights was built, the intention at that point was to close Stillwater,” she said, referring to the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Oak Park Heights.

Pappas added that she has been concerned about the plan for Stillwater, given that deferred maintenance costs have reached into the millions. Schnell reiterated on Thursday that addressing deferred maintenance to meet modern standards could have cost the state up to $1.3 billion.

Additionally, the DOC has signed a temporary contract with Washington County Jail, which is currently housing 49 inmates while a fire suppression project is underway at the St. Cloud facility. This project is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) shared that the House plans to hold a public hearing on the Stillwater closure before the end of 2025.
https://www.twincities.com/2025/09/27/stillwater-prison-nears-half-capacity-as-closure-plans-advance-official-says/