DOC proposes $1 million studies for closing aging Stillwater Correctional Facility

The Minnesota House Capital Investment Committee convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss critical updates from the Department of Corrections (DOC), focusing on the Governor's revised budget recommendations. Deputy Commissioner Safia Khan presented key proposals aimed at addressing the aging infrastructure of the state's correctional facilities, particularly the Stillwater Correctional Facility.

Khan highlighted the urgent need for significant investments in asset preservation, with the Governor's budget including $9 million in general fund cash. A notable new proposal requests $1 million for studies on space consolidation and strategic planning, specifically targeting the future of the Stillwater facility, which is over a century old. The DOC emphasized that the facility's deteriorating conditions pose safety risks and operational challenges, making it a liability for the state.

The proposed studies aim to develop a long-term plan for the facility's closure, including a decommissioning study to explore responsible options for the site and a management study to facilitate the relocation of staff and incarcerated individuals. Khan clarified that this request does not seek immediate closure but rather the necessary groundwork to inform future legislative decisions.

The DOC's capital resources director, Carl Hunt, further elaborated on the department's asset preservation needs, noting that the DOC manages 11 facilities with significant deferred maintenance costs. The Governor's proposal includes $44 million in general obligation bonds to address critical safety and security upgrades across the state's correctional facilities.

Committee members expressed appreciation for the DOC's proactive approach to managing its assets and ensuring the safety of both staff and incarcerated individuals. Concerns were raised regarding the potential impact on employees if the Stillwater facility were to close, with assurances that the DOC is considering relocation options for affected staff.

The discussions underscored the DOC's commitment to addressing the challenges posed by aging infrastructure and the importance of strategic planning in maintaining safe and effective correctional facilities in Minnesota. The committee's next steps will involve reviewing the proposed studies and budget requests as part of the ongoing effort to improve the state's correctional system.