2 Minnesota Prisons To Close Due To Budget Crisis

WILLOW RIVER, MN — The Minnesota Department of Corrections Monday told legislative leaders about its plans to close two state prisons due to the budget crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The closure of the state’s two smallest prisons — located in Togo and Willow River — comes after the legislature adjourned from the recent special session without action on the agency’s supplemental budget request.

The DOC faces a budget deficiency of approximately $14 million in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

While the two sites operate the Challenge Incarceration Program (CIP), the program will continue to operate in full at other existing facilities.

In addition to these facility closures, the DOC will implement additional reductions in commissioner’s office personnel and central administrative services, and renegotiate purchase of service contracts.

"We take these steps out of a commitment to deliver critically needed services that offer opportunity for transformation and a safer Minnesota," said DOC Commissioner Paul Schnell in a news release.

"While the actions we announced today are immensely difficult, Minnesotans rightly expect that we be responsible stewards of public resources as we fulfill the agency’s mission."

MCF-Togo has approximately 48 full time employees and MCF-Willow River has approximately 51 full time employees. While most of those positions will be eliminated, some will need to be retained to support continued operation of CIP at other existing minimum custody prison sites.

The combined annual budget for Togo and Willow River is approximately $11 million.